A Dorr Township man told the Planning Commission Tuesday night that he’d like to take advantage of the surging interest in wedding barns by building such a facility on his property near the corner of 16th Street and 142nd Avenue.
Kevin Mauer indicated wedding barns are growing in popularity and he’d like to establish one to be host for weddings, graduations and other special events.
“I think there’s a venue for this new window to open,” he explained.
Plan Commission Chairman Bob Wagner said he understands there is another wedding barn on 14th Street near 144th, but it is not legal.
Commissioner Larry Dolegowski said he’s heard that the wedding barn along 135th Avenue just west of Wayland has been very busy and is booked far in advance, so there appears to be a market.
Other such facilities exist at Green Lake and Monterey.
Wagner said the commission would have to consult with Professional Code Inspections (PCI) to learn what to do next, but it’s widely believed Mauer should seek a special use permit because the property is zoned agricultural.
“We want to do this right,” Wagner said.
Mauer was told he would need to find a way to furnish bathrooms, fire suppression sprinklers and handicapped accessibility, just as if it was a commercial building.
Mauer said he would like to construct a 48×130 feet building and he wants it to hold as many as 250 people.
“It’s a coming thing,” Dolegowski said. “There’s more people who want to do this kind of thing.”
Mauer said he plans to bring the proposal back to the commission in November.
