HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 03/03/2011 - Planning and Zoning CommissionCity of McHenry
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
March 3, 2011
Chairman Schepler called the March 3, 2011meeting 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, Schepler, and Thacker. Absent: None. Also in attendance were: Deputy City Administrator
Martin and Deputy City Clerk Kunzer.
Approval of Minutes
Ekstrom noted a typographical error in the first sentence of page 3 of the December 2, 2010 minutes
and requested “cal” be corrected to “call”.
Motion by Nadeau, seconded by Buhrman, to approve the minutes of the Planning and Zoning
Commission Meeting as amended:
November 18, 2010 regularly scheduled meeting;
December 2, 2010 regularly scheduled meeting.
Voting Aye: Buhrman, Doherty, Ekstrom, Morck, Nadeau, Schepler, and Thacker.
Voting Nay: None.
Not Voting: None.
Abstaining: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried 7‐0.
Public Hearing: Brunch Café
File No. Z‐762
414 S Route 31
Conditional Use Permit
Chairman Schepler called the Public Hearing to order at 7:31 p.m. regarding File No Z‐762, an application
for conditional use permit to allow a restaurant serving alcoholic beverages as submitted by Andy Zatos
for the Brunch Café located at 414 S Route 31.
Chairman Schepler stated Notice of the Public Hearing was published in the Northwest Herald on
February 15, 2011. 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 and Brunch Café business owner Andy Zatos who was sworn in by
Chairman Schepler.
Mr. Zatos stated he is seeking a recommendation for a conditional use permit which would allow him to
serve alcoholic beverages at his restaurant. He would like to have the availability to serve Bloody Marys
and Mimosas to his clientele.
Deputy Administrator Martin provided the Commission with the Staff Report regarding this matter. He
stated the restaurant has been open for six months, time enough for the applicant to determine that the
Planning and Zoning Commission
March 3, 2011
Page 2
availability of alcoholic beverages is something his patrons have requested and would welcome. Mr.
Zatos has a thriving business in the community and is now seeking a conditional use permit to allow the
service of alcoholic beverages on the premises.
Deputy Administrator Martin noted if the applicant is successful in securing a conditional use permit, he
would them apply to the Mayor for a liquor license. City Council would then consider the applicants
request for the conditional use permit and liquor license simultaneously.
Deputy Administrator Martin stated Staff has reviewed the request and supports the recommendation
for a conditional use permit subject to the condition that if the restaurant is closed for six consecutive
months, the conditional use permit would be revoked.
Chairman Schepler invited questions and/or comments from the Commission.
The Commission inquired as to why the applicant would like to serve alcoholic beverages. Mr. Zatos
noted he serves Bloody Marys and Mimosas at his other restaurants and his customers have requested
them at his McHenry location.
It was noted the service of Bloody Marys and Mimosas would be a great addition to the menu. The
Commission expressed its pleasure in Mr. Zatos introducing his restaurant to the community. It was
noted the restaurant has received a great reception on the part of the community.
Brief discussion occurred regarding the practicality of the City allowing a connection directly to
Municipal Drive from the subject property. Deputy Administrator Martin noted discussions have begun
regarding such a connection and/or a cross‐access easement among the property owners on the east
side of Route 31 between Charles Miller Road and Bank Drive. The City is facilitating those discussions.
However, they are at a very preliminary stage at this time.
Chairman Schepler stated there was no one in attendance wishing to address the Commission regarding
this matter.
Motion by Buhrman, seconded by Doherty, to recommend to the City Council with regard to File No. Z‐
762, an application for Conditional Use Permit to allow the service of alcoholic beverages at the Brunch
Café located at 414 South Route 31 as presented by applicant Andy Zatos be granted, subject to the
condition that if the restaurant becomes vacant or closes for six consecutive months, the conditional use
permit shall be revoked, and that Table 31, the Approval Criteria for Conditional Uses, pages 357‐358 of
the Zoning Ordinance, has been met.
Voting Aye: Buhrman, Doherty, Ekstrom, Morck, Nadeau, Schepler, and Thacker.
Voting Nay: None.
Not Voting: None.
Abstaining: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried 7‐0.
Planning and Zoning Commission
March 3, 2011
Page 3
Comments by the Commissioners:
Nadeau: Noting that Route 31 is a busy street, he requested the applicant ensure that his Staff would be
careful not to over‐serve their clients. However, he supported the request for conditional use permit.
Chairman Schepler closed the Public Hearing regarding File No. Z‐762 at 7:37 p.m.
Other Business
Deputy Administrator Martin noted tonight’s meeting was not on the original schedule. The meeting
was set in order to accommodate the applicant who had missed a public notice deadline for the
February 17th meeting. Deputy Administrator Martin expressed his gratitude to the Commissioners for
their willingness to attend this evening’s meeting.
Deputy Administrator Martin stated there would also be a meeting on March 17th. Two matters would
be considered at that time:
Route 31 Auto – relocating to the Alexander Lumber property;
Chase Bank – full‐service facility in place of their drive‐up facility at 4400 West Elm Street.
Deputy Administrator Martin noted if Chase Bank is successful in moving their facility, it would free up a
4,000 square foot space on the corner of the Market Place Shopping Center.
Brief discussion occurred regarding the following:
WalMart moving to Johnsburg and the search to fill the vacant McHenry store;
Border’s closing resulting in a good location for another entity;
Goodwill moving into a potion (23,000 square feet) of Dominick’s;
Petco moving into a portion of the former Circuit City building;
McDonalds’ moving further north on 31 and also opening a new facility on the former LaSalle
Bank property;
Warsaw Inn’s conversion to a banquet facility.
Discussion also occurred regarding potential businesses which could be encouraged to come to
McHenry.
Adjournment
Motion by Ekstrom, seconded by Morck, to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m.
Voting Aye: Buhrman, Doherty, Ekstrom, Morck, Nadeau, Schepler, and Thacker.
Voting Nay: None.
Not Voting: None.
Abstaining: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried 7‐0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________________
Kathleen M. Kunzer, Deputy Clerk
City of McHenry