By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
With a goal of serving night-owl college students, a local entrepreneur recently pitched the idea of having an establishment that could be open as late as 4:30 a.m.
But members of the Plan and Architectural Review Commission had reservations as they deliberated on an amendment to a previously issued conditional-use permit issued to the owners of the Downstairs Bar and Grill, 204 W. Main St.
After extensive deliberation at their meeting Jan. 13, commissioners did give the green light to applicant Gezim Mylkaj, but with a number of caveats – including a provision post-bar time operating hours sunset after a six-month period and further review take place.
Mylkaj and others behind the Downstairs operation say the late night hours could serve an unmet need in the community – particularly for college students interested in having a meal or coffee after the establishment stops serving alcohol at 2 a.m.
As part of his operations plan, Mylkaj has proposed operating hours of 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday, 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Alcohol would be served from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday, noon to 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Outside the parameters of bar operations, Mylkaj said all alcoholic bottles would be stored and secured, and all taps would be removed.
Although assurances were issued, commissioners had concerns about giving leeway to an applicant without a firm track record in the community.
“I understand the goal, but I’m having trouble with this right now,” said council member Lynn Binnie, who sits on the commission. Ultimately, however, Binnie was on board with the idea, so long as conditions were put in place.
Commissioner Cort Hartmann said he favored the idea behind the establishment, so long as proper protocol was followed.
“He’s inventing the wheel in this city by serving food and coffee at that time,” Hartmann said. ‘I personally don’t feel there’s a whole lot wrong with it, as long as he keeps the alcohol locked up (after hours).”
In other business last week, commissioners:
• Approved a certified survey map submitted by property owners Mark and Colleen Strelow. They are adjusting their lot line to accommodate a farm equipment storage shed on their property at W7765 Bluff Road in the Town of Whitewater.
The city has the ability to make final approval on property alterations that are within a 1.5-mile radius outside the municipal boundaries.
• Approved a certified survey map for the construction of a cell phone tower and accompanying shed on a property at N515 Howard Road in the Town of Coldspring.
• Added a provision to the city’s sign code, which had been amended last month to allow lettering be displayed on a combined 9 feet on both directions. The new wording states specifically which zoning districts the code applies to. They include commercial and light industrial properties.
• Approved the discontinuation of an alley east of an intersection at Main and Jefferson streets. The change is part of the city’s upcoming East Gateway project.
