HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 04/26/2012 - Planning and Zoning CommissionCity of McHenry
Planning and Zoning Commission Special Meeting Minutes
April 26, 2012
Chairman Schepler called the April 26, 2012 Special Meeting of the City of McHenry Planning and Zoning
Commission to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were the following: Buhrman, Doherty, Ekstrom, Morck,
Nadeau, and Schepler. Absent: Thacker. Also in attendance were: Deputy City Administrator Martin and
Deputy City Clerk Kunzer.
Public Hearing: Shannon Delgado
File No. Z-786
4113 West Shamrock Lane
Conditional Use Permit
Chairman Schepler called the Public Hearing to order at 7:31 p.m. regarding File No Z-786 an application
for conditional use permit to allow the service of alcoholic beverages in conjunction with a restaurant as
submitted by Shannon Delgado for the property located at 4113 West Shamrock Lane.
Chairman Schepler stated Notice of the Public Hearing was published in the Northwest Herald on April 7,
2012. Notices were mailed to all abutting property owners of record as required by ordinance. The
subject property was posted. A Certificate of Publication and Affidavit of Compliance with notice
requirements are on file in the City Clerk’s Office.
In attendance was Applicant Shannon Delgado who was sworn in by Chairman Schepler.
Ms. Delgado stated she is in the process of relocating her restaurant, Touch of Italy, from its Main Street
location to 4113 West Shamrock Lane. In order to be able to serve alcoholic beverages a conditional use
permit is required.
Deputy Administrator Martin provided the Commission with the Staff Report regarding this matter. He
noted the applicant is moving her business to the Liberty Square Center. The restaurant will be located
at the former site of Nana’s Kitchen. The applicant is seeking a conditional use permit in order to
continue with the service of alcoholic beverages in conjunction with her restaurant.
Deputy Administrator Martin noted Nana’s Kitchen had a conditional use permit for the service of
alcoholic beverages which was issued in 2007. Once the restaurant closed the conditional use expired.
The subject property is zoned office and was granted a use variance to allow several additional uses on
the site, including a restaurant. The conditional use permit is being sought in order to expand the
restaurant use to include the service of alcohol. Deputy Administrator Martin stated the restaurant is a
good fit for Liberty Square and will likely bring more people to the center. Staff recommends approval of
the conditional use permit as requested.
Chairman Schepler invited questions and/or comments from the Commission.
Responding to an inquiry, Ms. Degado stated there would be no bar in the restaurant. Alcoholic
beverages would only be served at the tables.
Commissioner Nadeau inquired if the restaurant would serve alcoholic beverages with lunch to which
Ms. Delgado responded in the affirmative.
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 26, 2012
Page 2
Commissioner Ekstrom asked the proposed hours of operation of the facility. Ms. Delgado responded
she would expand her previous hours and would be open for lunch and dinner. She anticipates opening
at 11 a.m. daily. She noted all previous employees would be transferring to the new site. All employees
who would be involved in the service of alcoholic beverages are BASSETT trained.
Chairman Schepler opened the floor to questions and comments from the audience. There was non one
in attendance who wished to address the Commission regarding this matter. Chairman Schepler closed
the public comment portion of the hearing at 7:37 p.m.
Question was raised regarding including a condition that the conditional use permit would become null
and void if the operation ceased to exist. Deputy Administrator Martin responded the Zoning Ordinance
provides for this eventuality following one year of the restaurant closing. Citing difficult economic
times, he stated Staff’s preference not to place any more restrictive conditions on the granting of the
conditional use permit.
Motion by Nadeau, seconded by Ekstrom, to recommend to the City Council with regard to File No. Z-
786, an application for conditional use permit to allow the operation of a restaurant serving alcoholic
beverages on the property located at 4113 West Shamrock Lane as presented by applicant Shannon
Delgado be granted, and that Table 31, the Approval Criteria for Conditional Use Permit, has been met.
Voting Aye: Buhrman, Doherty, Ekstrom, Morck, Nadeau, and Schepler.
Voting Nay: None.
Not Voting: None.
Abstaining: None.
Absent: Thacker.
Motion carried 6-0.
Chairman Schepler closed the Public Hearing regarding File No. Z786 at 7:42 p.m.
Other Business
Chairman Schepler welcomed new Commissioner Shawn Strach who was in attendance observing the
meeting. Commission Strach was recently appointed by Mayor Low and will begin his term May 1, 2012.
Chairman Schepler thanked Commissioner Ekstrom for her years of dedicated service and noted this is
her last meeting.
Deputy Administrator Martin stated the next meeting is scheduled for May 17, 2012. There will likely be
one case for consideration by the Commission.
Commissioner Buhrman raised some questions regarding the process a new business would undergo
when coming into the City. Deputy Administrator Martin provided a general overview of the process
which includes zoning, building inspections, certificate of occupancy, etc. Commissioner Buhrman stated
there should be a follow-up process in place once a business has been established. Inspections should
be made one year following establishment of the business.
Brief discussion followed regarding the vacant unclaimed strip of land west of 908 North Front Street.
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 26, 2012
Page 3
Adjournment
Motion by Nadeau, seconded by Ekstrom, to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 p.m.
Voting Aye: Buhrman, Doherty, Ekstrom, Morck, Nadeau, and Schepler.
Voting Nay: None.
Not Voting: None.
Abstaining: None.
Absent: Thacker.
Motion carried 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________________
Kathleen M. Kunzer, Deputy Clerk
City of McHenry