Planning for Wiltse Property Set for Next Step

The Sister Bay Plan Commission has approved a plan for an 11-unit short-term-rental condominium project on Chalet Lane, across from the Coachlite Inn.

The Village of Sister Bay will hold a joint meeting of the village board, plan commission and Ad Hoc Land Acquisition Committee on Monday, July 18, 5:30 pm. Representatives of the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission will be present, and work will commence on creating a conceptual plan for developing the 55-acre Wiltse property that the village purchased in 2019. 

Village Reviewing Noise Ordinances 

When Sister Bay plan commissioner David Schmitz began researching the village’s options for measuring and enforcing noise ordinances, he found one big problem: The village’s rules regarding noise levels aren’t consistent. 

The village has six existing noise regulations and liquor-licensing policies, and although the zoning code limits levels to 85 decibels, other development agreements put the limit at 75 decibels until 11 pm. As a result, the plan commission has asked new administrator Julie Schmelzer to draft recommendations to update the rules.

“We’re going to look at those and make the development agreements and ordinances consistent,” Schmelzer said. “Then people have to understand that if you’re in a busy tourist area, there’s going to be noise to some degree. Then if you have a noise ordinance, you have to figure out how you enforce it.”

The plan commission is expected to review an updated ordinance during its July 26 meeting.

Hoffman Condominium/Hotel

During its June meeting, the plan commission approved a proposal from Richard and Jeannie Hoffman to build an 11-unit short-term rental condominium facility at their property on Chalet Lane. The parcel is across from the Hoffmans’ other lodging facility, the Coachlite Inn, and it’s located in the general business zoning district. 

Neighbors had expressed concerns about traffic to and from the property on Chalet Lane, a private drive that provides access to four homes. 

The approval is subject to the Hoffmans meeting several conditions, including widening the road to 24 feet and adjusting plans to meet setbacks from the widened road.