Casa Real last week was given unanimous approval by the Oxford Village Council to pursue formal plans for an outdoor sidewalk caf? located behind the Mexican restaurant.
‘If the man can make a little bit of extra money and help keep him in business, the way the economy is today, I’m all for it,? said Councilman Tom Benner.
Alberto Pimentel, owner of the 21 S. Washington St. restaurant, approached the village about the feasibility of constructing an outdoor seating area on the municipal-owned sidewalk facing the southwest parking lot.
‘Summer is very short and people love to be outside,? said Pimentel, adding his customers ‘demanded? an outdoor area to enjoy their margaritas and Mexican beers.
Both the Downtown Development Authority and village planning commission supported the concept, according to Manager Joe Young.
Pimentel’s preliminary proposal called for a 336-square-foot area extending all the way to the brick pavers, which separate the sidewalk from the parking lot.
However, village ordinance requires leaving a five-foot wide sidewalk, so council said Pimentel would have to move the cafe back five feet toward his restaurant.
A 42-inch high metal fence, required by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, would surround and define the caf? area.
The fence would only be in place during the summer months when the caf?’s in operation. The rest of the year it would be gone.
Councilmen Dave Bailey and Chris Bishop weren’t too crazy about the idea of a fence.
‘The more I think about the fence, the more uncomfortable I get about it,? said Bailey, noting it looks ‘really strange? to fence off part of the village sidewalk.
‘I’m having trouble getting over this fence,? said Bishop, who would prefer to see just tables and chairs that could be put away every night.
Some council members wondered aloud if the sidewalk behind Casa Real is really the best location for an outdoor caf?.
‘I can’t imagine why you would want to sit outside in a parking lot and eat,? said Councilwoman Teri Stiles.
‘I can’t imagine somebody going up there and sitting outside on a 90-degree day underneath an umbrella, watching the traffic go by while they’re sittin? there slurpin? on a drink,? Benner said.
‘The last time I was in Casa Real, I had a really nice Mexican dinner and the air conditioning worked fine,? Bailey noted. ‘I have no desire to go outside for my Mexican dinner. I would be perfectly happy inside.?
Next year, Pimentel is planning to open an outdoor caf? on the restaurant’s spacious roof overlooking M-24.
‘That’s the big project,? he said.
The caf? could take up at least half the roof, up to 2,500 square feet.
In order to make it a reality, Pimentel said electrical equipment has to be moved and a door leading from the restaurant’s second floor to the roof must be built.
‘It’s going to happen,? he said.