Wauwatosa plan commission recommends approval of cafe with outdoor seating at 11320 W. Bluemound Rd.

The Wauwatosa Plan Commission voted unanimously Dec. 8 to recommend approval of a conditional use permit allowing Capitosa Kitchen and Cafe LLC to operate a breakfast-and-lunch cafe with outdoor seating at 11320 West Bluemound Road.

Planning staff provided the overview, saying the proposal would reuse the former Hermanas restaurant space and include a barista bar, dining room, kitchen and a front patio. Staff said the proposed daytime hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with periodic after‑hours events from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. The commission moved to approve the permit subject to the conditions in the staff report.

Commission discussion focused on outdoor dining and potential noise for the nearby neighborhood. A commissioner said, “Given that it's adjacent to the neighborhood, I just have concerns over sound.” Staff responded that the south facade faces Bluemound Road and that ambient traffic noise on Bluemound is expected to limit patio sound; staff added that code enforcement would respond to any complaints arising from after‑hours events. The applicant was present to answer questions and did not raise objections to the staff summary.

The motion to approve, made and seconded during the meeting, passed unanimously. Planning staff noted the commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the Wauwatosa Common Council for final action at its Dec. 16 meeting.

The commission record and staff report list the application under a conditional use permit for an eating establishment in the C-2 general commercial zone at 11320 West Bluemound Road. The staff report included the applicant name as Capitosa Kitchen and Cafe LLC.