Wauwatosa planning commission approves conditional use permit for event center at 7487 Harwood Avenue

The City of Wauwatosa Plan Commission voted unanimously Sept. 8 to recommend approval of a conditional use permit for an event center and outdoor seating area at 7487 Harwood Avenue.

City planning staff described a two‑phase project to convert an existing chapel on the site into a boutique event center for weddings and small events while building an outdoor deck that would be shared with the adjacent Draft & Vessel restaurant. Planning staff said Phase 1 would demolish an existing residence on the lot and construct the deck; Phase 2 would renovate the chapel into the event space and also use the deck for outdoor gatherings. The required public hearing was held July 22; staff said no one spoke for or against the proposal at that hearing.

Commissioner Alder First moved approval “with staff recommendations,” and Commissioner Conine seconded. Alder First said she was “very excited about this” and called the location well suited to the kind of mid‑size events the city lacks. Commissioner Conine described the site as a long‑vacant, historic property and said reactivating it would “activate the corner and make it a special place for Wauwatosa.” The commission chair called the vote, which passed unanimously.

The applicant was represented in the hearing by city staff; the applicant did not make a public statement at the meeting. No conditions beyond staff recommendations were announced in the public hearing. The commission’s action is a recommendation to the Common Council, which typically reviews plan commission decisions where statutory review is required.

Planning staff indicated the applicant was available to answer questions; none were raised that altered the staff recommendations. The record for this item includes the July 22 public hearing and the Plan Commission packet materials.

The commission took no further action on related land‑use regulations at the Sept. 8 meeting.