Planning Commission OKs Water Garden Cafe 

Hannah Heineman
Mirror Staff Writer

   The Planning Commission (CUP) approved a conditional use permit at its October 4 meeting that will permit a Cafe Bizou to open in the Watergarden office complex located at 2450 Colorado Boulevard.
   Commissioner Anthony Loui cast the only no vote, as he favored the 11 a.m - 2 a.m. operating hours requested by the cafe's management while the other commissioners preferred the shorter hours City staff recommended.
   The 299-seat cafe will include both indoor and outdoor seating. The majority of the commissioners were concerned about the noise that would be generated (particularly by the outdoor seats) so they approved the CUP with the condition that the cafe operate "11:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m. with the last seating at 12:00 midnight, seven days a week." A further limitation requires that the "patio close at 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays."
   The Commissioners also discussed the wording for an amendment to the Commission's rules of order concerning "a policy of full commissioner disclosure" of any communication they may be having with applicants or other interested parties prior to a project hearing. The Commission began these discussions in August when Chair Olsen raised the issue, saying "commissioners are frequently approached" by individuals who try to influence them.