Maddie's Lounge withdraws extension request after staff cites municipal code limits

Sarah Smith, owner of Maddie's Bar and Music Lounge, asked the Waukesha City Ordinance and Licensing Committee on Sept. 23 for an exception to allow an extension of licensed premises onto Lot 13 (Madison Street parking lot) for live music and related outdoor activities planned for the 11th through 13th.

"I am Sarah Smith. I live at 1278 Swallow Road, and I own Maddie's Bar and Music Lounge in Downtown Waukesha," Smith said, explaining that the weekend would coincide with a downtown event and that outdoor space would help spread attendees, allow food vendors and bags games, and support a Sunday debut of live music.

City staff (Brian) reviewed the municipal code and told the committee that Municipal Code 9-115 governs licensed premises and their extensions. He said licensed premises generally cannot be extended onto public property except for a small number of explicit exceptions (for example, an exception tied to Lot 3 for St. Patrick's Day and Friday Night Live). "I'm certainly sympathetic to the applicant, but unfortunately there's not a provision in the ordinance for exceptions to it," Brian said, and advised that the proper route would be to request an ordinance amendment through the applicants alderperson.

Given that the ordinance provides no mechanism to grant the requested exception, the chair noted that the application would be considered withdrawn. The committee did not take formal action to approve the extension. Staff advised the applicant to contact her alderperson if she wanted the council to consider amending the ordinance to allow similar requests in the future.

No vote was taken on the extension request; the record shows the applicant withdrew after being informed of the ordinance limitation.