About three dozen individuals expressed their opposition to a proposed hotel on Sturgeon Bay’s west side waterfront as part of a public hearing during the meeting of the city plan commission Wednesday evening. About a dozen people had favorable comments. Following its own rules and because two members of the commission were not in attendance, the committee tabled the matter until its next meeting. Earlier, developer Bob Papke explained that the contemporary design was in the nature of a boutique hotel. The five story building on the former Door County Cooperative property at 92 East Maple street, at 19,000 square feet, would be about half the size of the nearby Bridgeport Resort. Papke said he was trying to develop the best lodging facility he could and was open to any input. However, detractors had multiple reasons to oppose the project. It was too big, not in keeping with the nature of the community, there were already too many rooms unoccupied in the city, competition would run some lodging establishments out of business, it would block the view of the water, there should be no development on the water at all, and, if there was to be development, it should be in the nature of small specialty shops. Several speakers called for a referendum on the issue, something beyond the scope of the city plan commission. Supporters countered that the facility was needed, would enhance the waterfront area and would help pay the costs related to the planned public improvements on the parcel.
