title
Consideration of a Conditional Use Permit in the Neighborhood/Village Trade (C1) zone at 7487 Harwood Avenue to allow for the operation of an event facility and outdoor seating area to be shared with the northern adjacent property (Draft & Vessel), Nathaniel Davauer, Draft & Vessel, applicant
body
Submitted by:
Art Piñon
Department:
Development
A. Background/Options
The applicant is requesting approval of a Conditional Use to establish an event center and outdoor patio area at 7487 Harwood Avenue, located within the Neighborhood/Village Trade (C1) zone.
The proposed project will be completed in two phases:
• Phase 1 involves the demolition of the existing fire-damaged residence on the site and construction of a new outdoor deck. This deck will serve as a patio seating area for Draft & Vessel, the adjacent business located north of the subject property.
• Phase 2 includes the renovation of the existing chapel structure and its corner addition into a boutique event center designed to host weddings and other small-scale private events. Once completed, the event center will also utilize the outdoor patio area.
The hours of operation for both the patio area and event facility will be consistent with Draft & Vessel’s current business hours:
• Monday–Thursday: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Friday–Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
• Sunday: 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The required public hearing was held at the July 22, 2025 Common Council meeting with no one appearing to speak in favor or opposition. The Council meeting video is attached.
B. Staff Comments
Planning/Zoning Division
No additional parking is required as parking requirements in the C1 District are uniform for office, retail, and eating/drinking uses. Bike parking is required since the use of the building is changing.
This Conditional Use request supports the goals and objectives outlined in the City of Wauwatosa Comprehensive Plan, specifically:
• Preserving Wauwatosa’s welcoming identity, encouraging thoughtful growth, and promoting aesthetically appealing development (WCP, p. 20);
• Supporting local businesses and enhancing the City’s tax base (WCP, p. 20);
• Encouraging development, reinvestment, and improvement within local commercial areas to sustain a vibrant mix of businesses (WCP, p. 20);
• Promoting adaptive reuse through the revitalization of an existing architecturally significant structure (WCP, p. 40).
Building Division
Design Review Board approval, plan review, and all applicable building permits are required. Final occupancy inspection and approval must be obtained prior to occupancy.
City Assessor’s Office
Provide detailed costs of any alterations and/or new construction as well as income & expense as requested by the Assessor’s Office.
City Clerk’s Office
No comments
Public Works Department
See Engineering comments
Engineering Division
Site plans subject to approval by the Engineering Division.
Per City Code 13.30.030, any building project in excess of $100,000 shall have the lateral replaced or inspected and pressure tested per Board of Public Works requirements. If the existing lateral is to be re-used, a televised report of the existing lateral from the building to the City main must be provided to Engineering. If Engineering identifies any defects in the existing lateral, the defects must be corrected and another televised report provided to Engineering to verify results. Note that if the existing lateral is made out of clay, the lateral must be lined. This requirement must be met prior to final building occupancy.
City records show that this building is served by an existing 3/4-inch lead water lateral from the building to the curb stop in Harwood Avenue. Staff strongly recommends that this lead piping is replaced.
Fire Department
All applicable fire codes must be adhered to.
Health Department
No comments
Police Department
No comments
C. Recommendation
Staff recommends approval subject to:
1. Establishing hours of operation. If noise complaints or late-night disturbance complaints are received regarding the outdoor patio area, the applicant shall take corrective action to resolve those complaints. This may include but is not limited adjusting hours for the patio area, modifying activities and operations, or discontinuing use of the patio. Issues must be resolved to the satisfaction of the Planning Division Manager.
2. Short- and long-term bike parking must be provided in compliance with WMC 24.11.080.
3. Per WMC 24.12.040.A.2, roof-mounted mechanical equipment (e.g., air conditioning, heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust and similar equipment, but not solar panels, wind energy or similar renewable energy devices) over 30 inches in height must be screened from ground-level view of all R- and C-zoned properties. See 24.12.040.A.2 for requirements.
4. Per WMC 24.12.040.A.1, all ground-mounted mechanical equipment over 30 inches in height, other than air conditioning units, solar panels, wind-energy or similar renewable energy devices, is subject to principal building setbacks and much be screened from view of all R- and C-zoned properties by a solid fence, solid wall, dense hedge, or combination of such features. The hedge, fence, or wall must be tall enough to screen the equipment.
5. Providing detailed costs of any alterations and/or new construction, as well as income & expense as requested by the Assessor's office.
6. Site civil plans, landscape plans, and fire flow calculations addressing Engineering Division comments must be submitted to and reviewed by the Engineering Division prior to issuing building permits.
7. Under WMC 24.16.040I., a Conditional Use will lapse and have no further effect one year after it is approved by the Common Council, unless a building permit has been issued (if required); the use or structure has been lawfully established; or unless a different lapse of approval period or point of expiration has been expressly established by the Common Council.
8. Obtaining other required licenses, permits, and approvals. This includes but is not limited to Design Review Board approval, plan review, site plan approval, building permits and DSPS plan approvals, and Final Occupancy inspection and approval.