Local Liquor Commission

February 13, 2020 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL VOTE Mr. Kozik called the February 13, 2020 meeting of the Local Liquor Control Commission to order at 7:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers of the Wheaton City Hall, 303 West Wesley Street. Upon roll call, the following were present: Commissioner Pearse, Commissioner Sender, Commissioner Wolgemuth. Absent: Commissioner Brown, Chair Taylor. City Staff Present: James P. Kozik, Director of Planning and Economic Development. Commissioner Pearse moved and Commissioner Wolgemuth seconded a motion to nominate Commissioner Sender as Chair Pro Tem. On a voice vote, all voted aye. II. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 9, 2020 Commissioner Pearse moved and Commissioner Wolgemuth seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2020 Local Liquor Control Commission meeting as submitted. On a voice vote, all voted aye. IV. NEW BUSINESS AMENDMENT TO THE CLASS A LIQUOR LICENSE CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS - HALE STREET CANTINA - 109 N. HALE STREET Mr. Kozik stated that recently, the City Council approved the issuance of a Class A Liquor License to HFO entertainment LLC for their proposed restaurant, Hale Street Cantina, a 65 seat Mexican-American restaurant to be located at 109 N. Hale Street. Mr. Kozik stated that the operator currently has three other existing restaurants located in Downtown Glen Ellyn, Naperville and St. Charles. Because of his experience in other suburban downtowns, Mr. Kozik stated that the operator is also seeking an amendment to the hours of operation for Class A Licensees (minimum 25 seats), currently Monday – Sunday, 7am to 11pm so they will match the hours of operation for Class I Licensees (minimum 125 seats), currently Monday – Saturday, 7am to 1am and Sunday, 7am to 12 midnight. In addition, if the change in hours of operation for Class A Licensees were to be approved, the operator is seeking an amendment to the Class A License Classification to allow for approval of a limited menu after 11pm; similar to what is afforded to Class I Licensees. WHEATON LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION MEETING February 13, 2020 Mr. Kozik stated that the operator indicates that after normal dinner hours their food sales drop drastically. Having a smaller menu will allow them to cut down on labor costs since they will not need to staff a full kitchen. The owners of Burger Social, another Downtown Class A Licensee, also expressed support for the change in hours and ability to offer a limited menu. Members of the Commission discussed the proposed change in hours and ability to obtain approval of a limited menu after 11pm and felt they were appropriate. The Commission also reviewed the proposed limited menu for Hale Street Cantina. Hearing no further questions or comments, Commissioner Pearse moved and Commissioner Wolgemuth seconded a motion to recommend approval of an amendment to the hours of operation for Class A Licensees (minimum 25 seats), currently Monday – Sunday, 7am to 11pm so they will match the hours of operation for Class I Licensees (minimum 125 seats), currently Monday – Saturday, 7am to 1am and Sunday, 7am to 12 midnight, the ability to ask for approval of a limited menu after 11pm and approval of the limited menu as proposed. On a roll call vote, all voted aye. APPROVAL OF LIMITED MENU – BURGER SOCIAL – 108 N. HALE STREET Mr. Kozik stated that pursuant to the amendment recommended by the Commission, Burger Social, a Class A Licensee at 108 N. Hale Street, is seeking approval of a limited menu should the proposed amendment be approved by the City Council. Commissioner Wolgemuth then moved and Chair Pro Tem Sender seconded a motion to approve the limited menu proposed by Burger Social should the amendment be approved by the City Council. On a roll call vote, all vote aye. V. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS There was no miscellaneous business. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 P.M. Respectfully submitted, James P. Kozik, AICP Director of Planning and Economic Development