Plan commission approves JavaAbilities cafe at 5734 Monona Drive with conditions

The Monona Plan Commission on March 24 approved a zoning permit for JavaAbilities’ proposed coffee shop at 5734 Monona Drive, allowing interior renovations, a reopened drive-through lane and an expanded outdoor patio.

The permit clears changes to the former Mahler Yoga Center to create a roughly 2,000-square-foot café and full kitchen that applicants said will hire and train adults with disabilities. Staff recommended approval with conditions tied to site improvements, circulation and final plan details.

The commission’s staff report said the site is in the Community Design District and has been vacant more than six months, requiring review. Project plans show 26 parking stalls including two ADA stalls, plus three stalls reserved for pickup orders. The applicant proposes to restore the existing drive-through lane to run counterclockwise along the north side of the building, replace an existing concrete slab with a slightly larger outdoor patio, add small canopies and repair the parking area. The plan increases impervious surface and reduces on‑site open green space to about 16 percent of the lot; staff noted the applicant’s landscaping plan exceeds required landscape points.

Applicant Tim McDonald said the café, run by JobAbilities and AchievAbilities partners, aims to employ and train people with disabilities. "Half the people or more will have disabilities that work there," McDonald said, adding the business will teach tasks such as bussing, register work and food preparation.

Mary Kay, who identified herself as a co‑partner with Tim and owner of Achievabilities, said the cafe grew from a long‑held vision to provide daytime jobs and training. Ben Thomas, who said he will manage operations, described restaurant experience and work with people with disabilities.

Commissioners focused on vehicle circulation, parking condition, and exterior repair. Commissioner Chris recalled prior problems at the site when it operated as a Taco Bell and urged steps to prevent drive‑through queuing from backing onto Monona Drive; staff and the applicant said the proposed on‑site queuing would limit through‑street backup. Commissioners asked the applicants to repair potholes and the general condition of the parking surface, and to preserve sightlines and the adjacent property along the north drive approach. The applicant said contractors are lined up to assess and repair the parking area pending permit approval.

Before the vote, a commissioner moved approval with staff’s findings and added conditions requiring (among other items) that: the existing light pole base be removed or made cosmetically acceptable to staff; the drive‑through be designed or protected to prevent impacts to the adjacent north property (final details to staff approval); and a bike rack be installed with final design to staff approval. The motion passed by voice vote.

The applicants said proposed daytime hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., with possible extended summer hours, and estimated a staff of about 12 employees. They told the commission they hope to open by May, and that they are negotiating long‑term occupancy via lease. The project team said they will work with city staff on a final sign plan and on repairing and striping the parking lot.

The commission’s approval is subject to the conditions listed in the staff report and the additional items adopted at the meeting. Final construction permits and administrative sign approvals remain to be completed.

This project will repurpose a long‑vacant storefront and, if constructed as presented, will create daytime jobs and on‑the‑job training for people with disabilities while adding another café to Monona’s commercial corridor.

Votes at a glance: The planning commission approved the zoning permit for JavaAbilities’ cafe by a voice vote; the motion incorporated staff findings and the site‑specific conditions noted above.