By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer

ASHWAUBENON – The village board took less than 3 minutes Tuesday, July 23, when it approved amendments to Bay Park Square’s Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay zoning district to accommodate four new restaurants proposed for the area.

The plans call for a Dave & Buster’s restaurant and arcade to locate in the former Younkers Furniture Gallery along with a Panda Express Chinese Kitchen on an outlot south of IHOP and two restaurants – Blaze Pizza and Mission BBQ – on an outlot together in one building located just north of the Longhorn Steakhouse.

Community Development Director Aaron Schuette said the PUD amendments add the two outlots fronting Oneida Street and will also remove the prohibition on box or cabinet-type signs to accommodate a sign with the Dave & Buster’s logo that’s commonly used.

“The circular Dave & Buster’s logo sign is actually considered a cabinet sign, which at this point is not allowed through the PUD,” Schuette said. “Their requested amendment is to allow that signage. Staff is very comfortable with the cabinet or box-type sign with this installation.”

The plans provided to the village show Dave & Buster’s will occupy around 27,000 square feet in the mall with approximately another 5,500 square feet adjacent to it available for retail use.

Those plans also note the Panda Express will be located in a 2,500-square-foot building, while on the outlot with two restaurants proposed in one building the Mission BBQ would be around 3,500 square feet with Blaze Pizza having about 2,500 square feet.

Representatives of Simon, which manages the Bay Park Square mall, and others with an interest in the new restaurants planned there were on hand for the village board meeting.