What happens if you schedule a meeting and too many people show up? If you’re the Sturgeon Bay Plan Commission, you have to call the meeting off. Such was the case for the special meeting of the seven person body Wednesday evening. The meeting was set up for a plan commission discussion on a zoning change for a hotel proposed for the former Door County Cooperative site on the city’s west side waterfront. However, the fire chief had indicated that standing room only would not be allowed due to safety concerns. When it became obvious that there were many more people than seats available, and given the fact that the proceedings couldn’t be moved to another venue due to the open meetings law, the committee had no choice but to call off the meeting. No date has been set for the plan commission’s deliberations. It should be noted that it is unlikely, based on its rules, that the committee would have acted on a zoning recommendation at the meeting Wednesday, meaning another session would be needed before a vote is taken and the matter is sent on to the city council for a final determination. A group of vocal citizens opposes the construction of a hotel on the parcel for a variety of reasons. The lodging facility is one of several elements of development recommended for the former co-op property on Sturgeon Bay’s west side.
