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Plan Commission approves small Mexican restaurant at 818 West Saint Paul Avenue with parking exception
Summary
The commission approved a minor site plan and architectural review for a restaurant at 818 West Saint Paul Avenue (approximately 1,000 square feet), granted an exception to the city’s parking minimums (11 spaces provided vs. 18 required), and required landscaping, ADA improvements, restriping and a masonry dumpster enclosure before occupancy.
The Waukesha City Plan Commission on May 28 approved a minor site plan and architectural review for a proposed restaurant at 818 West Saint Paul Avenue (operating under the name Lehi Casuella's in application materials). The commission granted a parking exception to allow 11 on-site spaces where the code’s calculation would require 18 spaces.
Staff presentation and site work City planner Charlie reviewed the building site at the intersection of Saint Paul and Prairie avenues. The applicants plan a roughly 1,000-square-foot restaurant with interior dining, a small kitchen and two restrooms. Site improvements include restoring a removed pavement apron, adding an ADA ramp and railing, replacing foundation planting that had decayed, restriping existing parking stalls, and building a masonry dumpster enclosure on an existing concrete pad where a shed currently stands.
Parking exception and landscaping Charlie explained the parking calculation (seats + employee spaces) yields a required 18 stalls while the site provides 11. Staff recommended approval of the minor site plan with conditions including installation of bollards/planters/railings to separate a new front patio from drive lanes, replacement plantings along the south and east sides, restriping parking to match the approved plan prior to occupancy, permit approval for signage, and addressing engineering/water-utility comments.
Applicant remarks Owner Andrew Borgstrom said he owns both the restaurant property and the neighboring former Jim’s Bug Center building (Amvet Properties) and that he can provide additional parking spaces if needed. He described the restaurant as a small operation, with some catering focus, not intended as a high-capacity night club; he confirmed the patio will not be used for outdoor alcohol consumption as proposed tenant intends an indoor liquor license only.
Vote and conditions A motion to approve the minor site plan and architectural review with the listed staff conditions passed by voice vote. Conditions include landscape replacement, patio separation (bollards, planters or railing to be approved by staff), restriping of parking, required sign permits and resolution of engineering/water utility comments prior to occupancy.
Ending: The applicant may proceed to building permits after satisfying the stated conditions; staff will verify required planting and restriping before occupancy.
