By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
After a lengthy public hearing at the Walworth County Zoning Agency May 19 – a hearing that included legal representation on both sides of the issue – the CZA tabled a decision on a hotel on Lake Beulah in East Troy.
The issue was tabled and a decision postponed because of a lack of information. In particular, after hearing close to two hours’ worth of presentations and commentary on the potential hotel, the CZA wanted more information on the impact of the site’s well on the lake along with drone footage of the site.
County Zoning Agency Chair Ryan Simons made clear that public hearing was closed following a short break after the discussion. Walworth County Attorney Michael Cotter added that with the public hearing closed, no further commentary from the public would be accepted, whether by email or in person.
He also said that if County Zoning Agency members wanted to look at the site, they should do it as an agenda item and proper legal notice.
It’s the second time the proposed hotel has been before the zoning agency. It was initially rejected in October of 2020, but because of Act 67 – which ruled that if a conditional use fits the zoning of a property, that use should not be denied – circuit court gave the proposed hotel new life at the county level.
The land, a 2.94-acre property at 1341 Beach Road in East Troy, is zoned B-3 (waterfront business) and R-1 (single family residence). The owner of the property is Summit Smith Development, which has been trying for years to build on the property.
Over the past seven years, condominiums, apartments and hotel plans have all been rejected.
