By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
A local restaurateur has been given the green light to open a restaurant in a largely residential area, following final action last week by the Whitewater Common Council.
Tyler Salisbery, who operates The Black Sheep in the city’s downtown area, will open a second eatery, Casual Joe’s 2, at 319 W. James St. The council has authorized rezoning the property from multi-family residence to central business district use.
Salisbery’s request went through a number of reviews at the Plan Commission level before being forwarded on to the Common Council for further deliberation and final action. The council last week voted, 6-1, in favor of a second and final reading of an ordinance authorizing the rezoning.
Council member Ken Kidd was the sole dissenter.
While Salisbery is a respected member of the Whitewater business community, some nearby residents have raised a number of concerns about Casual Joe’s 2 coming into the neighborhood. Noise and traffic have been some of the most prevalent issues raised by opponents.
“This will create a nuisance for residents,” nearby property owner Beverly Stone wrote in a letter to the city. “It will cause traffic congestion, as well as attract groups of late night people from Whitewater Street bars into these family areas, and the vandalism problems they may bring.”
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.
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.
