The Wauwatosa Common Council denied Cafe Bavaria’s request March 17 to have an outdoor wood-burning fire on its patio. The restaurant had already been using the fire without permission in an area considered public property since February when the Wauwatosa Fire Department noticed it.

When fire officials saw the fire last month, they notified Drew Cyr, general manager at Cafe Bavaria, that outdoor burning is not allowed on public property unless granted an exception by the Common Council. Cyr then requested an encroachment to make the area private property and allow the burning.

“We hope to be able to continue burning the fire pit on Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings moving forward,” Cyr wrote in a letter to city officials. “It has been a welcomed addition to the Village thus far and has received rave reviews from both Wauwatosa citizens and patrons of our establishment.”

Although fire officials were concerned about open burning being allowed in an area with heavy pedestrian traffic, they did not support or oppose Cafe Bavaria’s request. But aldermen shared their concerns about public safety and ultimately denied it.

“I have many concerns about the safety and the fact this restaurant just went ahead and did this (without permission),” Alderwoman Kathleen Causier said.