Wauwatosa committee clears Jacksonfest permit, moves item to full council

A Wauwatosa City standing committee voted to approve a special-event permit and a temporary extension of licensed premises for Jacksonfest, an outdoor concert at Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub, and forwarded the item to the full City Council.

The event is scheduled for June 27 at 11302 West Bluemont Road, with alcohol sales and outdoor live music. Noelle Brady, the applicant, told the committee that she and staff will provide security and "have everyone off the lot by 11:00," that the band will be a country act that ends at about 10:30, and that staff will notify nearby residents in advance and walk the neighborhood the following morning to check for trash.

The city clerk reported that departments reviewed the application and had no objections; staff recommended approval. Committee members sought clarification about a discrepancy in application materials on listed hours (some pages listed an 11 p.m. end time while a police report referenced a 10:30 p.m. band end). Brady confirmed the band will finish at 10:30 and the lot will be cleared by 11.

Alder McClough pressed Brady on notification procedures and how far notices would be distributed; Brady said she planned to deliver letters door to door to residents a few blocks away and to post information on social media. Alder Moldenhauer and others asked that Brady follow the predecessor manager's plan of action—used in prior years—to reduce complaints about parking, trash and other impacts.

Alder McClough moved approval; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. The chair recorded an aye vote and said the approval will be placed on the City Council agenda next week.

Details from the application packet and committee discussion indicate Jacksonfest has run in previous years (Brady estimated about 10 years, with some hiatus during the COVID period) and that the operator uses a parking-lot footprint for outdoor music and alcohol service. The committee asked staff to ensure future applications show consistent hours across all submitted pages so departments reviewing the packet have the same information.

The committee did not impose additional conditions beyond confirming the applicant's stated notification, security and cleanup plans. The item will next appear for full council consideration.