Chippewa Falls council flip-flops, grants beer garden license

Jul 7, 2010 — The Leader-Telegram

Chris Vetter

Jul. 7, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- CHIPPEWA FALLS -- The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to grant Margo's Sunbeam Tavern a beer garden license, one month after rejecting an application from its owners.

Margo and Chad Harshman, who have owned the bar at 1310 E. Park Ave. for six months, had asked the city to build an outdoor beer garden. At the June 3 meeting, at which they were not present, the council rejected the license application on a 3-2 vote.

Chad Harshman said he was surprised the next day when he learned the application was rejected. He told the council Tuesday that people will be outside, no matter what, because the state's indoor workplace smoking ban took effect Monday.

"There are going to be people outside, so (neighbors) will want an 8-foot fence to hold the noise in," Harshman said.

The Harshmans plan to spend $21,000 to erect an 8-foot fence around the entire property, add a deck, remodel one wall and upgrade coolers in the bar.

Harshman said a volleyball court was added about four years ago, and people routinely take their drinks outside to play sports. Technically, that was not permitted because the backyard wasn't covered as part of the bar's premises, city attorney Bob Ferg said.

Harshman said police rarely are called to his bar, and he isn't aware of any prior citations being issued for alcohol being present near the volleyball court. He said the permit is important for his business.

"We need (patrons) to be able to bring their drinks out," Harshman said.

The Harshmans apologized for not attending the June 3 hearing.

"We didn't think there would be an issue," Chad Harshman said. "It wasn't an arrogance thing. It didn't look like something we needed to be at."

When the council denied the permit last month, a couple of neighbors who lived near the bar spoke against the application, citing concerns about an outdoor beer garden that could be open late into the night. Those neighbors weren't at the meeting Tuesday. However, Scott Loebertman, who lives next to the bar, spoke in favor of the beer garden.

"I have no issues with the beer garden," Loebertman said. "I'd appreciate them having a fence."

After the meeting, Margo Harshman said the fencing would be put up as soon as possible.

"It feels great," she said. "You don't know how much stress we've had for the past month ..."

Vetter can be reached at 715-723-0303 or chris.vetter@ecpc.com.

Beer Garden Rules

The Chippewa Falls City Council created the beer garden permit in August. Under the ordinance, if a bar is within 100 feet of a residence -- not including one above the bar -- the owner can apply to the city for a variance to allow for a beer garden. The city then holds a public hearing before issuing the beer garden permit.

All beer gardens must have walls that are 8 feet tall, and the entrance to the garden must be through the bar. The new ordinance also clarifies that the bartender on duty is responsible for monitoring activity in the beer garden.

Music and dancing are prohibited in beer gardens.

- Chris Vetter

Newstex ID: KRTB-0398-46758981