Planning commission approves five business and temporary-use applications

The Planning and Architecture Review Commission approved five applications on consent or after brief staff presentations: business-use approvals for Lash Lounge (5524 N. Port Washington Road), MB Smoke (5322 N. Port Washington Road), NextGen Performance (4650 N. Port Washington Road), Prado Hospice Care (6165 N. Green Bay Avenue) and a temporary-use approval for a film production by Roadworthy LLC at 5055 North Lydell Avenue.

Staff recommended approval for each application and described how each use fits the applicable district. Staff said Lash Lounge qualifies as a permitted personal-care/beauty use in a B-1 business district and that the site has ample parking. MB Smoke was described as an existing retail operation seeking formal business-use approval. For NextGen Performance, planning staff noted a missing historic development agreement but said prior similar sports-training uses in the building made the proposed use permissible. Prado Hospice Care was presented as professional services and administrative offices and staff recommended approval.

All business-use motions were moved and seconded by commissioners and passed by voice vote. The commission approved Lash Lounge (motion moved by Alderman Bailey; seconded by Commissioner Nelson), MB Smoke (moved by Commissioner Cohen; seconded by Commissioner Story), NextGen Performance (moved by Commissioner Story; seconded by Alderman Bailey) and Prado Hospice Care (moved by Commissioner Cone; seconded by Commissioner Nelson). Each motion carried with a unanimous voice vote of commissioners present.

The commission also granted a temporary-use approval to Roadworthy LLC to use 5055 North Lydell Avenue as a production site. Michael Rohm, the project's writer-director, told commissioners filming will be limited to private property and private parking areas; he said the production would not film on city streets and would avoid early-morning filming, stating, "we wouldn't be filming before 8AM, and we'd be out by sundown." Rohm said preproduction would occupy the site for roughly three weeks with five to eight people, followed by up to 10 weekdays of filming with a cast and crew of around 25 to 28, and that the filmmakers will obtain any street or other permits if needed. Staff noted the applicant still must obtain any required permits for street use or similar activities.

All motions related to these items passed during the meeting and were recorded as approved by the Commission.