Plan commission approves small restaurant at 818 West St. Paul with parking exception

The Waukesha City Plan Commission on May 28 approved a minor site plan and architectural review allowing a new restaurant, identified in discussion as Las Casuellas, to occupy 818 West St. Paul Avenue and operate with an approved exception to the zoning parking minimums.

Staff said the single-story building needs limited exterior work: a concrete replacement in front where pavement had been removed for a water service, an ADA ramp and railing to access a small front patio, repainted/restriped existing parking stalls and a new masonry dumpster enclosure on an existing concrete pad. Staff recommended approval provided the applicant add a barrier (bollards, planters or railing) separating the patio from drive lanes, add foundation landscaping along the south and east sides and at the top of the patio retaining wall, re-stripe parking stalls to match the plan prior to occupancy, and obtain required sign permits.

The applicant said the owner purchased the adjacent property and will use the neighboring parcel for vehicle storage/repairs; he confirmed plans to replace plantings and add planters and landscaping around the patio. Staff calculated a zoning-required parking minimum of 18 stalls (based on seats and shift staffing) but the site has 11 spaces; the applicant requested and the commission granted an exception to the parking minimum, noting that historic parking minimums often exceed actual need and that nearby properties provide additional capacity. The commission included a condition that plantings, patio barriers and striping be approved by staff prior to occupancy.

The motion to approve the minor site plan and architectural review, with the listed staff conditions and staff approval of landscaping details, passed by voice vote.