Oconto City Council to attempt creating ordinance to allow wedding venue

OCONTO - City Council members are scheduled to meet Jan. 18 to attempt drafting an ordinance that would allow an Oconto couple to hold weddings outside a 150-year-old barn on the property.

Most council members expressed support for the concept of the business, Oconto Riviera, which would be adjacent to the Oconto River just east of U.S. 41 on McDonald Street, despite opposition from neighbors and the apparent difficulty of fashioning an ordinance to allow for the establishment of commercial entity inside a primarily residential area.

The council needs to find a way “to make this work,” said council member Jean Feldt.

“This is a unique vision for this piece of property, which is part of Oconto’s history,” she said. “We need to be able to figure out how to make this work.”

Riley Sowle and his wife, Anita Jensen, first approached the city last January about getting approvals to host weddings inside the former cattle barn, which was under a city repair or raze order when they purchased the property in March 2020.

They tore down part of the structure that couldn’t be repaired, made some other improvements and added an addition for their home, which extends into the barn. They moved in a year later.

That barn wedding concept was put on hold after the couple learned that the barn would have to be brought up to commercial code, which would have made the business financial unfeasible now, though the couple may revisit it.

Sowle and Jensen then shifted plans to host weddings or other events on the property. They were allowed to host one outdoor wedding over the summer as a trial run. The event went smoothly, although some neighbors had complaints, notably over the on-street parking and headlights shining through trees toward homes.

During the public input portion of the meeting prior to the council discussing the possible creation of the ordinance, Sowle apologized and said parking could be moved to land they own across the street.

Sowle said he and Jensen want to make sure the concerns of the city and the neighbors are addressed.

“We do agree there’s some work to be done as far as fixing the issue, because the city hasn’t dealt with an outdoor event venue before, and figuring out a way where everyone’s happy … and find a solution, whatever that solution may be,” Sowle said.

Three neighbors out of several attending the session asked the council not to move ahead with an ordinance, citing concerns about traffic, noise and garbage.

“Business is great, I agree with that completely, but in a quiet, residential neighborhood, the committee needs to vote no,” Robert Rogell told the council.

He was among 17 people in 11 households from Robin Lane and Holtwood Way who signed a petition opposing the creation of an ordinance that would allow outdoor venues in residential neighborhoods. The petition was presented at the Committee of the Whole in December.

“They shouldn’t be putting in a business in a residential area,” Al Wickman said. “I don’t care where it’s at.”

Several other residents spoke in favor of the ordinance so the business can open. Some noted that McDonald Street is already a main road with a certain amount of traffic, and concerns about noise and garbage can be addressed.

Dave Dreshek said the couple has put much time and effort into the barn.

“If they’re willing to make accommodation to help you, help them back,” Dreshek said. “That’s our world. That’s how it works. They’re trying to do something for the betterment of 4,000 people, not 17 on one road.”

Joe Kingsley said he wouldn’t expect any problems with the venue, the owners or the people who visit.

“Who are we to say what another person does on their own property? If we have the mentality not in my backyard, how is anybody going to build anything?” Kingsley said.

Others emphasized the wedding venue draws visitors to Oconto and increases sales at many businesses in the community.

“I’m (the owner of) one of the businesses in town that will not benefit, but I’m still 100% for it,” Amy Clough said.

A few others said the venue is needed to help the city progress.

“How can we not want Oconto to grow and prosper?” Teri Hochmuth said.

Jensen noted the venue would provide a place for young people who have moved away to return and get married, instead of Green Bay or Marinette.

The community "deserve(s) to have an opportunity for generations and different parties to congregate and enjoy that river like we all do, like the bay should be enjoyed, like the tourist community that we are,” she said.

Jensen added they are willing to compromise to come up with an ordinance that works for everyone.

“We want the success for us, but more importantly the community,” she said. “That’s what we want, for everyone’s pockets to fill and our dreams come true, and if some rules have to change and some paths have to be made, then so be it.”

The council has previously approved the couple's request to rezone the barn property to a residential designation, which allowed them to obtain a liquor license.

Council member John Reed, who presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Lloyd Heier, said the council is supportive of new businesses, and while the barn venue would benefit Oconto, they still have to abide by the ordinances.

“I feel sorry for the Sowles," he said. "They put a lot time effort and money into this in the belief they were going to be able to do this."

Council member Kim Bronikowski said she understands the concerns of the neighbors, but would like to see the venue established.

“We want Oconto to succeed and grow. I’ve two more months on the council,” said Bronikowski, who isn’t running for reelection. “I want to see this resolved before then.”

Feldt noted the area wasn’t entirely residential, as the city runs Holtwood Campground and a ball diamond complex just up the street and the four-lane-highway runs through it. The city’s ordinances, she added, “must serve our community,” and especially with the pandemic, people need to be able to make money from home.

“I think we need to make this happen,” she said.

Council member Dean Reed, though, advised caution.

“You can’t just make anything happen … I’m not comfortable saying that, because I don’t know we’re going to be able to make it work,” he said. “I would love to see it work, but I’m not promising anybody anything.”

City attorney Frank Calvert said that committees have looked at several ways to allow the business, but the outdoor venue ordinance is about the only way to do so.

However, before he, building inspector Joe Last and city Administrator Brittney Bickel can create such an ordinance, they need further direction from the council. He provided a list of items to the council that it would have to address, including classification of the operations, a possible maximum number of events, hours of operations, parking requirements, restrooms and entertainment.

Bronikowski suggested the special meeting to try to come up with an ordinance.

Council member Al Schreiber said the council can look at the items on Calvert’s list, but asked if draft language from another community could be taken and adapted.

Calvert said he and Last hadn’t found any other barn wedding venues in another city. The ones that exist are in towns with few ordinances and little zoning, he said.

Anything would provide a start, Schreiber said.

“You’re putting a square peg in a round hole … sometimes you get a lot of splinters, but you can make it work, but no guarantees,” Schreiber said.

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Contact Kent Tempus at (920) 354-6075 or ktempus@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Oconto council to attempt creating ordinance to allow wedding venue