By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
After a fair amount of preliminary resistance, a plan for a Whitewater restaurant in an area largely populated with single-family homes is moving forward.
In October, business owner Tyler Salisbery came before the Whitewater Plan and Architectural Review Commission with a request to rezone a building a 319 W. James St. from multi-family residence to central business district use.
Commissioners at the time tabled Salisbery’s request because of a number of concerns raised by nearby neighbors.
Salisbery returned at the commission’s November with an amended operations plan that bumped the proposed closing time up from 2 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Commissioners, however, amended plans further and voted with the caveat the closing time be set at 9 p.m.
Salisbery, who already operates a downtown eatery known as The Black Sheep, has indicated he plans to use the James Street property for a second restaurant known as Casual Joe’s 2. Salisbery already operates a restaurant known as Casual Joe’s in Wausau.
Because Casual Joe’s 2 would abut residential properties, reaction toward Salisbery’s latest proposal has been mixed. The city has received a number of letters in opposition to the plans.
But in the past month, Salisbery’s tweaks appear to be winning over city officials and some prior opponents.
Because the opposite side of James Street already has a central business zoning, Latisha Birkeland, neighborhood services director, said a commercial designation for the site under scrutiny is not inherently bad planning.
Birkeland pointed out rezoning the site would be in keeping with the city’s comprehensive plan that was adopted in 2010.
In a narrow 4-3 vote, commissioners agreed with Birkeland’s assessment and agreed to forward the rezoning request on to the Common Council for further deliberation and an ultimate decision.
The council is expected to vote on Salisbery’s rezoning request this coming Tuesday, Dec. 3, when a second reading of the document is taken up.
Commissioners agreed tight restrictions should be placed on the property so residents are not disturbed by noise and parking. A proposed outdoor deck has been placed on the backburner for the time being for this reason.
Commissioner Kristine Zaballos, who hails from Seattle, said her former stomping grounds had establishments that were similar to the one proposed by Salisbery. She referred to portions of Seattle’s residential areas as “urban villages.”
“Most of the things that have been talked about can be worked out,” Zaballos said.
Commissioner Cort Hartmann also agreed the restaurant proposal could be a positive to the area and could help spur additional redevelopment activities.
“When you bring a successful business into your area, it will breed success,” Hartmann said.
Salisbery is positioning Casual Joe’s 2 as a compliment to The Black Sheep. While the latter is one of the city’s more upscale restaurants, Salisbery said Casual Joe’s 2 is designed to provide a more relaxed atmosphere with a variety of sandwiches, salads and lighter fare.
Early this year, Salisbery and several teammates toured portions of the country to learn about different barbecue techniques. Some of the principles learned have been incorporated into Casual Joe’s in Wausau and could be replicated in Whitewater if plans move forward.
