County rejects Scott's Lake project

by Jason Futch
Published 8/26/26

Inspired by a story he read in the North Bend Eagle a few years ago, Jason Heitritter had a vision to bring back the glory days of Scott’s Lake when it was a dance hall owned by early Saunders County settler J.P. Scott, featuring various events such as dances during the late 1800s and into the 20th century.

Not only did Heitritter have the inspiration, but also the opportunity, as his family resided on the property that once hosted the popular resort and wanted to preserve its legacy. Thus began an idea to reopen the Scott’s Lake dance hall that would cater to weddings, private receptions and other coordinated events.

Heitritter’s plans appeared to be moving forward after the application passed through Saunders County planning and zoning board. According to Heitritter, he believed the conversations with the county and the neighboring Wolf Lake Estates Home Owners Association were positive.

Those hopes, however, came to an end on Aug. 18, when the Wolf Lake Estates residents expressed their concerns to the Saunders County Board of Supervisors during a public hearing at the county courthouse in Wahoo. Some of those claims included concerns about increased traffic, environmental issues and potential law enforcement issues related to noise, alcohol consumption and aggressive behavior by patrons. There were also claims that residents were not formally notified about the project until recently, after the plans were approved by planning and zoning.

County zoning administrator Mitch Polacek presented the plans to the board, which was to construct a new building at the end of the lake on Scott’s Lake Road and County Road 23 – about 1.5 miles east of Morse Bluff – that would host a variety of events complete with 118 spaces for parking. A driveway leading to the facility would also be included, something that Heitritter said would alleviate access concerns that the nearby HOA had as it related to travelers entering the residential area of the estates.

Heitritter said he had spoken with the Saunders County Highway Superintendent Andy Nordstrom concerning traffic of up to 120 vehicles per event on the roads leading to the proposed facility.

According to Heitritter, Nordstrom indicated he had no concerns with the anticipated level of traffic and noted the road was routinely maintained twice a week. Heitritter also added that there would be noise regulations on the property, with amplified outdoor noise to stop at 10 p.m., amplified indoor noise to stop at 11 p.m., and all event activity to finish by midnight.

Heitritter’s reassurances, however, did little to ease the concerns of Wolf Lake residents, a development whose closest homes are about 250 yards away from the site in question.

While most of those in attendance were against the idea of the Scott’s Lake venue, one person, Morse Bluff business owner Dillon Shaw, spoke in support of the project. He said that he had been working with Heitritter about providing event transportation through his company, Black Tie Rides, which would solve some of the traffic concerns the residents had.

After Wolf Lakes Estates residents expressed their opposition to the project, Heitritter came back to the podium to address the concerns of the residents, stating that it was a priority to work with the neighbors and understood that everyone was not going to be in favor of the project.

“We know that not everybody is going to be in favor of change and growing,” he said. “This venue was not just an afterthought, but it was one because of where the history happened.”

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