‘Cat cafe’ in downtown Batavia gets preliminary green light from the city

Batavia residents looking to spend time with some feline friends may soon be able to patronize a new cat cafe proposed for the city’s downtown, which is now a step closer to coming to fruition.

The proposed business, to be called Kitty Cocoa Cafe, was discussed last week at Batavia’s City Council meeting at which members voted to approve a modification to the city’s zoning code and a conditional use permit that would make way for the new offering. Next up, the applicant can pursue a building permit to make improvements to the space.

Kitty Cocoa Cafe is being brought forward by owner Alyssa Biala, who has experience as an animal shelter volunteer, according to city documents.

The business would be at 139 First St., which was formerly the Batavia Animal Clinic, per the city.

Biala’s pitch is for the cafe to provide an environment outside of a shelter for the public to interact with cats that are available for adoption, according to a memo included in last Monday’s meeting agenda. Biala confirmed at a recent meeting that she will be working with local shelters to find permanent homes for the cats at the cafe.

The cafe would have high and low spaces for the animals, as well as enclosures for them to be away from customers and other cats, according to the city memo.

The applicant is looking to provide windows into the space, with a small patio area so pedestrians can stop and view the cats. Biala has indicated that the cats will be in a separate section of the space.

In addition to food and drink offerings like Belgian-style hot chocolate, coffee and baked goods, the cafe would charge in 15-minute increments for guests to enter the cat lounge area and interact with the cats. Sessions would require reservations, a presentation from Biala included in city meeting documents noted, and would be limited to no more than eight customers per session.

The space may also offer events in collaboration with other businesses, like yoga in the cat space.

Agencies providing the cats would handle processing and decisions regarding adoptions, which would be handled outside of the cafe space, per the city. The number of cats in the facility would be limited to 10, and they would be taken care of by staff daily even when the cafe is closed.

Additionally, there would be cameras in the space to monitor interactions with the animals, and a zero-tolerance policy for negative interactions with the cats, the city memo indicated. There would also be procedures for cats that have negative interactions with customers, and an ability to separate cats if there are behavior issues. Customers going into the lounge area would need to sign a waiver.

So, to allow for the business in the proposed space, the council considered two ordinances: one amending the city’s zoning code to allow a “pet cafe” as a conditional use in the city’s Downtown Mixed Use District, and the other granting a conditional use permit for the location in question.

The two measures were discussed — and ultimately recommended for approval — at the council’s committee of the whole meeting earlier this month, where the idea was received positively by council members.

Alderman Christopher Solfa said his daughters love cat cafes, and told him he “better vote to approve” the proposed business.

“This is something different,” Alderman Alan Wolff added. “I think it’ll be interesting to see how it pans out over there.”

Though describing herself as “not a cat person” because of allergies, Alderman Alice Lohman also said she was “happy to see” the proposal.

And Alderman Jennifer Baerren inquired about what the cafe would do if an animal became aggressive, to which Biala said a puncture would be reported to the health department, and that there would be separate cages in case there is an issue with a cat.

Following discussion at the committee of the whole, the matter then came to the city council for final approval, and both ordinances were approved unanimously.

Biala said she is aiming for the business to open in November or early December.

“Knowing the number of pet lovers that we have in Batavia, I have to believe that (you’re) bringing something very unique and attractive to a number of people,” Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke said at Monday’s meeting. “I’d be prepared, if I was you, to have some crowds in there on occasion.”

mmorrow@chicagotribune.com