Committee recommends amending municipal code to let Maddie’s seek temporary licensed-premises extensions onto Lot 13

The Waukesha City Ordinance and Licensing Committee on June 22 voted unanimously to recommend that the Common Council amend Municipal Code 9.115 to permit temporary extensions of licensed premises onto Municipal Lot 13, a roughly 20-space lot next to Walgreens. The change was proposed so Maddie's Bar downtown could seek the same temporary extension privileges currently allowed for bars that use the Clock Tower (Lot 3) area during events such as Friday Night Live.

Alderman Everett introduced the proposal and said the change would allow Maddie’s to apply for extensions and special-event permits for Friday Night Live dates and occasional fundraisers. Brian, a city staff member, summarized the ordinance’s history: Lot 3 had been granted an exception about 10 years ago amid concerns about public parking, use of taxpayer-owned property for private benefit and drawing a clear line on permitted locations. Staff told the committee that the special-event and street-closing ordinances (6.17 and 6.18) already contain barricade and layout requirements.

Committee members asked whether the change would require additional permit revisions; staff said existing application and special-event review processes — including submission of a layout and review by public works, sanitation and other departments — would still apply. Several aldermen voiced concerns about fairness and public parking loss if more municipal lots could be used by private businesses, and one member pressed for more robust barricade and closure measures for Lot 13 because of its relatively open access from the street.

Alderman Everett and others said the location’s proximity to Friday Night Live and existing practice in nearby lots made the request reasonable; several members said they would like to see any permitting require substantial barricades and a proofed footprint before approval. Staff said the committee’s remaining questions (for example, whether the amendment should limit the number of days per year a business may use Lot 13) would be addressed when the ordinance goes to Council. The committee’s recommendation requires council consideration and three readings under city code; the chair said the item will move to the Common Council for further action.

The committee passed the motion recommending the code amendment by unanimous vote and closed the item. Members asked staff to ensure that the special-event and street-closure rules are applied when a business seeks an extension onto Lot 13.