Under the zoning catagory of B-2 this type of establishment falls under the category of a conditional use. That dose not mean that it is not zoned correctly. ”Conditional uses are uses that, because of their unique or varying characteristics, are not appropriate as a permitted use without consideration in each case…” That is taken from the city’s website. I cannot think of any zoning that a volleyball court and bar combination would be automatically permitted without considering it a conditional use due to its unique characteristics. It is a very unique establishment, which is the reason for the conditional use permit. From my understanding of zoning this is the best choice of zoning for this establishment. If you disagree with that please give reasons and explain why something else would be better from a zoning standpoint.

No JSB, I pass out $5.00 bills and a bit of karma.

Stu, you pass out apples and nickels for Halloween, don't you?

Hannah,

It needed conditional use permits because the underlying zoning does not support a bar. So, conditional use permits are modifications to the underlying zoning in order to allow a use that was not originally intended.

Hannah, work on your reading comprehension a bit, ok dearie? I did not say "One should not own more than one establishment" I stated that the argument that this provides a job for a "laid off GM worker" is disingenuous. There's a difference.

thanks oncecarrier5123... I was so frustrated by the lack of knowledge here, that I could no longer respond to it. I sure wish R1234 would enlighten us too. It goes to show that people only hear what they want to hear,and if anyone disagrees with these people's opinions, they shoot them down with personal attacks. All those opposed were given the floor and allowed to be heard. but the minute someone had the other viewpoint, the older ladies attacked.

@r1234, that type of flaming isn't necessary.
i'm siding with tbs here. i was at the plan comission meeting, and at the one mentioned in this article. i'm fairly certain that if the building was not zoned properly, sara would not have invested half a million dollars into renovations. and the plan comission certainly would have said something about that.

but if there's still some dispute, perhaps you would be so kind as to enlighten us about the difference between commercial and business.

This is so indicative of why the "creative class" in Janesville appears to consist of a semi- literate kid with a broken etch-a-sketch. And also why the rest of the state considers the city as purgatory between Madison and Beloit.

Ask Mr. Schwartz if he'd take a bar like this, with an operator who has been convicted of DUI's and Drug use in front of Madison's ALRC. It'd be shot down and ripped apart. Ah, standards. How nice it'd be if we had any in Janesville.

Wow, what's this? Wholesale attacks by the bud light NASCAR set on seniors that have lived in the area for years? Nice.

Advice: if you really don't want it in your neighborhood, call the city planning department and ask how you get a verified zoning petition going.

As for baiting seniors, that's just disgusting. This proposed zero- personality biker bar brings nothing at all tithe community. And the sob story about convicted drug user/drunk driver Dewitt needing a job is beyond ridiculous. He already owns another vapid, vaccuous establishment where the barely sentient already hang out. What's this, an attempt to franchise? Lol, the empty taco bell has more personality.

tbs......From your comment, I see that you do not possess the capability to comprehend the zoning laws and the difference between commercial and business. There is no contradiction. You would benefit from educating yourself and moving into the light.

you just completely contradicted yourself. the property is commercial. you typed it yourself. a store is commercial. a shoe store is commercial. a community shopping district is commercial. the conditional use permit was to allow the bar business. ifnit's not commercial, then what is it?? Industrial? Residential?? Commercial means a business.

tbs........you need to get your hearing checked if you were at the meeting or you need to learn to do a proper web search for information.

Taken from the minutes of the Plan Commission:

The subject site is zoned B2, Community Shopping District. Adjacent properties to the south are also zoned B2 and include a recently constructed NAPA Auto Parts store and vacant lot. Boy's Baseball of Janesville and the Janesville Dialysis Center are located to the north. Properties to the East are zoned General Commercial.

Read this carefully, especially the first and last lines.

and I don't need to read the minutes. I was at the meeting where they said the property is COMMERCIAL.

are you kidding me??? like I said, what is Rogan's Shoes??? a house??? I'm pretty sure it's commercial. Are you serious?? The building is commercial. He needed a conditional use permit to have a bar there, but it is zoned COMMERCIAL. Or was Basics a house??? I think that was a commercial property also... I have my head out, it's you who can't see the light.

tbs123. Pull your head out and read the minutes of the Planning Commission. The property is not commercial.

this is for R1234... ever hear of freedom of the press?? the gazette reporter was there. the property IS zoned commercial... what the heck do you think Rogan's Shoes is??? a residence??? pull your head out and quit yelling about a conspiracy here...Man this town is ignorant about so many things. Maybe that is why I prefer working in Beloit. The people are way more laid back and unlike the busy bodies here. I'm surprised these people didn't throw up a protest when the African American family moved in about a year ago...

Move the project to the newly vacated Del-Taco building by Menards. They can easily hang the Volleyball net from Bessie's tail!

I live near the neighborhood and I welcome the new business so close to my home. I am a younger adult and bought my home fairly recently. The reality is people of my age are the future of the neighborhood. Sara Investments seems to recognize that and the potential that presents for this property. I think it is important to note that the property is zoned properly. I knew what I was getting when I bought near Milton Ave. and so should those people. It is not going to decrease their property value since they bought at a decreased value because of the the area to begin with. It is not fair to judge the current business based on problems that the neighborhood had with a previous establishment 15 or 20 years ago, under a different owner, in a different social climate, and a different type of establishment. It sounds like the Sara Investments is bending over backwards to accommodate the neighborhood's concerns over something the current zoning should allow them to do. If the neighbors are that concerned about what goes into the property, they should have spoken up when the building was built and the zoning decisions were made. If they didn't live there then, they should've been more careful about where they purchased property. It isn't fair to try to change the game at this point. Sara Investments bought that property, has invested in that property, and has a right to do what the city has already zoned for that property. They say they don't want that in "our neighborhood" but that property and Sara Investments are part of the neighborhood, like it or not.

I betcha once this is in there all those old fogies from the neighborhood will be going there for a sandwich at noon. I think they should make the little league diamond a ice rink in the winter as well they have the lighting already there. Then we will give this neighborhood something to complain about. Its a business and this town need something let them come in. I really get sick of this city council, when they want it it happens when the majority of the citizens want it its shut down go figure.. Democracy got to love it good luck Sara investments I hope you win!!!!!

What the investment company should do is just walk away from the building, leaving the doors unlocked......Let the homeless move on in--a couple of months of having that element cruise around their "pristine" little neighborhood and they will be begging for the sports bar to come back........

Something stinks here. The property is not zoned commercial. Mr. DeWitt was granted conditional use of this building for this purpose. If Mr. De Witt should not win, this conditional use would expire and the building would revert to its "Light Business" status.....Sara fingerprints all over this.

It says Sara met with the neighbors.....why was the press there if it was a neighbothood meeting? Is this Sara at work, too? Beware.

If the press was not there, then this is a one-sided and opinionated report from Sara.

The big question: Is our city for sale to the highest bidder?

It appears there is a group of people concerned the bar wouldn't be a "good neighbor".
But...
"One neighbor who spoke in favor of the bar left in tears."

How are the opponents of the project being "good neighbors" if they're that nasty to people who live in the same area?

"I'm going to be watching every single little move, and everything I don't like, I'm calling the police," warned another.

Are all the people in this neighborhood 108 years old? God...have a beer, enjoy watching some volleyball and CALM DOWN.

BikerJoe - who is talking trash? Maybe the garbage man...

I think localboy nailed it here. If the area had been zoned residential, and Sara Investments did some shifty dealing to get it rezoned, then we should all cry foul. But since it’s already zoned properly for a bar, it’s a little too late now for the neighbourhood folks to complain that somebody wants to put one in. It’s kinda like the people who buy a house next to an airport, then complain about all the noise. People who are upset can always move, but I’d suggest then wait until after Sneaker’s opens, since it will probably increase their property values.

Ok show of hands....
How many people on here doing the trash talking actually live in That neighborhood???

Am I missing something? The building/lot/land is zoned for business. What would go in there that wouldn't cause noise, traffic, trash? As for drunken patrons, how do they know? Most bars in this town are near homes. And for fallen home values, they can't prove that. For God's sake, for years their backyard led in to the city landfill! Remember the big stink the people of Briar Crest made about Wal-Mart? Unfounded. Plus you show me one house in Janesville that hasn't had falling home values...

I hope they pass it this time. I was very angry when I heard they got shot down the first time. My wife had a good point. It seems that only the people that are against this are out and getting heard. We need to have some people around that are FOR this out there speaking their minds, not just complaining on the internet.

Eric, you're a good man! Thank you for all your investments in Janesville!

Lets hope our city council gets their heads out of their backsides next time around.

Wow. I'm sure there were times they didn't enjoy Slicks patrons, but Little League lighting?? Do they think they live in the country or a densely populated neighborhood a block off of Milton Avenue? The article tonight made me embarrassed for the quiet majority of that neighborhood who recognize controlled development as a good thing.

The opponents of the new establishment are afraid of things that are never going to happen. It's like a boogey man to them

He should add a out door ice skating pond, the city council likes ice skating, heck, they might even chip in a few dollars because we will need ice skating on this side of town too.

This is the same neighborhood that opposed lighting for little league players. What more can I say?

It sounds like Sara Investments is trying to work with residents and figure out a way that this can work. Even trying to get a stop sign to prevent people from speeding through the area, that is a current problem that they are willing to try and help just to be a good neighbor. This place will create a couple jobs and give the building a use, those are good things. They would plant trees to help with noise. Eventually we need to start promoting businesses to come to Janesville and that means accepting the businesses. Sara Investments has put a lot of money into Janesville with their properties, if they say that they will stay on top of the complaints and follow through, that would be enough to reassure me.