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Home My WebLink About121-O-20 Special Use Permit for Banquet Hall in C2 District 800 Greenwood !"#$%& '% ( )* (#"%%+, !"#! $ %& '% ( ( ) ( * )+ , ( ( - January 181 1 .$/#012 1//31$*/30" 411//3151$467 -8- 5$97(* %6:66$7 P LANNING AND Z ONING D IVISION 847-448-8230  zoning@ci tyofevanston.org Community Development Department  www.cityofevanston.org/zoning 2100 Ridge Ave., Rm. 3202 Evanston, IL 60201 FF II NN DD II NN GG SS FOR STANDARDS OF SS PP EE CC II AA LL UU SS EE PP EE RR MM II TT SS In the case of After conducting a public hearing on October 20, 2020, the Zoning Board of Appeals makes the following findings of fact, reflected in the audio-visual recording of the hearings , based upon the standards for special uses specified in Section 6-3-5-10 of the Zoning Ordinance: Standard Finding (A) It is one of the special uses specifically listed in the zoning ordinance; ___X__Met _____Not Met Vote 5-0 (B) It is in keeping with purposes and policies of the adopted comprehensive general plan and the zoning ordinance as amended from time to time; ___X___Met _____Not Met Vote 5-0 (C) It will not cause a negative cumulative effect, when its effect is considered in conjunction with the cumulative effect of various special uses of all types on the immediate neighborhood and the effect of the proposed type of special use upon the city as a whole; ___X___Met _____Not Met Vote 5-0 (D) It does not interfere with or diminish the value of property in the neighborhood; ___X___Met _____Not Met Vote 5-0 Case Number: 20ZMJV-0 058 Address or Location: 800 Greenwood Street Applicant: Andrea Liss, “Eight-Hundred” Proposed Special Use: Banquet Hall P LANNING AND Z ONING D IVISION 847-448-8230  zoning@ci tyofevanston.org Community Development Department  www.cityofevanston.org/zoning 2100 Ridge Ave., Rm. 3202 Evanston, IL 60201 (E) It can be adequately served by public facilities and services ___X___Met _____Not Met Vote 5-0 (F) It does not cause undue traffic congestion; ___X___Met _____Not Met Vote 5-0 (G) It preserves significant historical and architectural resources; ___X___Met _____Not Met Vote 5-0 (H) It preserves significant natural and environmental features; and ___X___Met _____Not Met Vote 5-0 (I) It complies with all other applicable regulations of the district in which it is located and other applicable ordinances, except to the extent such regulations have been modified through the planned development process or the grant of a variation. ___X___Met _____Not Met Vote 5-0 and, based upon these findings, and upon a vote __5__ in favor & __0__ against Recommends to the City Council _____ approval without conditions _____ denial of the proposed special use __x__ approval with conditions specifically: 1. The use of amplified outdoor music shall not be permitted beyond 11:00pm Sunday through Thursday and midnight Friday and Saturday, and; 2. Re-review of the proposed parking plan by the Design and Project Review Committee within 12 months, and; 3. The project be developed in substantial compliance with the documents and testimony on record for the case. P LANNING AND Z ONING D IVISION 847-448-8230  zoning@ci tyofevanston.org Community Development Department  www.cityofevanston.org/zoning 2100 Ridge Ave., Rm. 3202 Evanston, IL 60201 Attending: Vote: Aye No ___X__ Max Puchtel __X__ ____ ___X___ Myrna Arevalo __X__ ____ ___ ___ Jill Zordan _____ ____ ___X___ Violetta Cullen __X__ ____ _______ Lisa Dziekan _____ _ ___ ___X___ Mary McAuley __X__ ____ ___X___ Kiril Mirintchev __X__ ____ 10/22/2020 CITY OF EVANSTON Mail - New form response notification https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ik=4762073d7a&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f%3A1681118709113020309%7Cmsg-f%3A16811187091130…1/1 Melissa Klotz <mklotz@cityofevanston.org> New form response notification 1 message Google Form <smangum@cityofevanston.org>Tue, Oct 20, 2020 at 7:22 PM Reply-To: smangum@cityofevanston.org To: mklotz@cityofevanston.org, csterling@cityofevanston.org Your form has a new entry. Here are all the answers. Name Vince Gerasole and Heidi Umbhau Address of Residence 1335 Elmwood Avenue Please leave your phone number (for phoning in) or email (for video comment through Zoom platform) so that we may identify and call on you for your public comment and you may be able to call/video in. 312 446 5835 How would you like to make your public comment?Written (see below) Agenda Item (or comment on item not on the agenda)Agenda Item Provide Written Comment Here I want Andrea to succeed and she is a great neighbor, my only concern is music ppast 11 pm. Sent via Google Form Notifications 10/22/2020 CITY OF EVANSTON Mail - New form response notification https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ik=4762073d7a&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f%3A1681116009281716915%7Cmsg-f%3A16811160092817…1/1 Melissa Klotz <mklotz@cityofevanston.org> New form response notification 1 message Google Form <smangum@cityofevanston.org>Tue, Oct 20, 2020 at 6:39 PM Reply-To: smangum@cityofevanston.org To: mklotz@cityofevanston.org, csterling@cityofevanston.org Your form has a new entry. Here are all the answers. Name Yvette Meltzer Address of Residence 1407 ELMWOOD AVE Please leave your phone number (for phoning in) or email (for video comment through Zoom platform) so that we may identify and call on you for your public comment and you may be able to call/video in. yvettemeltzer@yahoo.com How would you like to make your public comment?Written (see below) Agenda Item (or comment on item not on the agenda)Special Permit Request for Special use for a Banquet Hall at 800 Greenwood Position on Agenda Item Opposed Provide Written Comment Here Living within 500 feet of this venue we are strongly opposed to this use of the space. In the time of COVID it is inappropriate to have gatherings of 50 people in a residential neighborhood. We are concerned about people walking through the neighborhood and the spread of Covid . We already are squeezed out of parking as people choose not to pay the parking fees on Greenwood and instead park on Elmwood. Having so many cars coming into the neighborhood is unwelcome. Banquets often serve alcohol and people leaving an event may be loud and unruly. We have no interest in having a banquet hall as a neighbor. Please vote NO! Thank you! Sent via Google Form Notifications 10/27/2020 CITY OF EVANSTON Mail - Zoning Variance Request for 800 Greenwood. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ik=4762073d7a&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f%3A1681713110458470764%7Cmsg-f%3A16817131104584…1/1 Melissa Klotz <mklotz@cityofevanston.org> Zoning Variance Request for 800 Greenwood. 1 message KATHERINE ROGERS <kg.rogers@comcast.net>Tue, Oct 27, 2020 at 8:49 AM To: "mklotz@cityofevanston.org" <mklotz@cityofevanston.org> Dear Ms. Klotz, I am a home owner at 1329 Elmwood Avenue, Evanston, and am writing to say that I am not in favor of the requested variance for the 800 Greenwood property. The requested variance to lease the space as an events venue would conflict with the normal expectations of residential living. Issues of parking (already a strain in this area) and noise after set hours negatively impact the family neighborhood where we go to bed early and hope to park near to our homes. As the property under discussion shares half the block with residential homes it would be a fundamental change to the zoning. I regret that I missed the zoning hearing when this request for a variance was discussed. And would be happy to provide any other form of input to help raise the awareness of this issue. Would you please let me know where I might go to track any developments or decisions on this requested zoning variance? Thank you. Katherine Rogers 1329 Elmwood Avenue Page 1 of 5 Zoning Board of Appeals NOT APPROVED MEETING MINUTES ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Tuesday, October 20, 2020 7:00 PM Via Virtual Meeting Members Present: Violetta Cullen, Myrna Arevalo, Kiril Mirintchev, Max Puchtel, Mary McAuley Members Absent: Jill Zordan, Lisa Dziekan Staff Present: M. Klotz , C.W. Sterling Presiding Member: Violetta Cullen _____________________________________________________________________ Declaration of Quorum With a quorum present, Chair Cullen called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Suspension of Rules for digital meeting Ms. McAuley motioned to suspend the rules to permit members to convene via virtual meeting. Second by Ms. Arevalo and approved 5-0. Minutes Ms . McAuley motioned to approve the meeting minutes of September 15, 2020. Second by Mr. Mirintchev and approved 5-0. 800 Greenwood Street ZBA 20ZMJV-0058 Andrea Liss, proprietor, submits for a special use for a Banquet Hall, “Eight Hundred”, in the C2 Commercial District (Zoning Code Section 6-10-4-3). The Zoning Board of Appeals makes a recommendation to City Council, the determining body for this case. Ms . Klotz read the case into the record. Andrea Liss , proprietor, explained the proposal:  Gave a brief description of the proposed use and her history in the space since purchasing it many years ago  Business has been severely impacted by COVID  All client events cancelled into 2022  Inspiration for the idea is necessity  Refined micro-events in her design studio and terrace  Use a preferred list of vendors  29 years of experience in special events  Loyal client base across the gold coast and north shore  Explained hours of operation and asked about extending hours to 1am on weekends to be more congruent with competitors. Page 2 of 5 Zoning Board of Appeals Ms. McAuley stated she was familiar with the location and the venue makes a certain amount of sense, but opening until 1am on weekends might be a problem for residential properties in close proximity. Have you received feedback from residential neighbors ? Ms. Liss stated she had not received any immediate feedback from neighbors but would talk to adjacent neighbors. Some neighbors said they would call in today. Ms. McAuley: 1am depends on the type of music thats being played. It is a concern, but one she would entertain once the neighbors gave feedback. Ms. Liss : Does have letters of support from most adjacent neighbors Ms. Klotz: read a letter of opposition received in the last hour , noting parking and noise as immediate concerns due to proximity to the residential homes. Chair Cullen: Asked about DAPR restrictions for music and parking being reviewed in 12 months time? Is this something that would assuage neighbors concerns? Ms. Liss : Explained the parking plan including the use of a valet. Open to other suggestions but the location is relatively deserted on nights and weekends. For smaller events it seems appropriate. Hours are consistent with other similar uses approved in Evanston. Ms. McAuley: On weekends and evenings, that is correct. Ms. McAuley: Love the idea of activating the courtyard, but if dumpsters were moved to the alley as is typical, some concerns may come up regarding trash removal after big events. Can you discuss this as well as activation of the courtyard due to its size? How would social distancing occur ? Ms. Liss: Garbage and dumpsters didn’t exist for 20+ years, but now we’re contracted with Groot and they come twice a week. Willing to extend this if needed. The outdoor terrace is something we’re so excited about. We c an get 50 people but comfortable for sit-down is 35 or so. 50 would be a mingling event that was s tanding only. Mr. Puchtel: You are requesting to increase hours for music F-S to 1am? Would it be ok to have music if it wasn’t amplified? Would you be willing to move music indoors after midnight? Ms. Liss : Perhaps not in conflict, and yes I suppose moving the party inside would work if thats what is needed. Ms. McAuley: Proximity to residential would be better served to limiting hours as recommended by DAPR. I wouldn’t push 1am at this location, particularly because this is going to City Council and they can ultimately determine if the hours are appropriate or not. Ms. Liss : This is acceptable. Page 3 of 5 Zoning Board of Appeals Public Comment: 912 Greenwood, Dave Simmons: Some s imilar concerns with my earlier email in regards to traffic. If there is catering trash in the alley dumpsters, it may cause problems with rodents. If traffic is going on around midnight, there would be a lot of people outside leaving, coming and going. This is a quiet neighborhood. Concerns with this use in a residential area. Ms. Liss : Responds that she would likely have 20-30 person events. Garbage would be picked up every morning if that’s what is needed. Perhaps the valet could not traverse the residential distric ts and go toward Chicago Ave. The area is zoned C2, and this is a listed special use. I am willing to give out my number to allow neighbors to ask her to mitigate if things become too loud or obstructive. Ms. McAuley: I have similar concerns with the use in this location in regards to tra ffic, but think that the DAPR conditions are appropriate. Parking would be reviewed in a years time. If the use and traffic were problematic for neighbors, there is potential for restitution. Mr. Simmons: This would be appropriate and assuages my concern. Ms. McAuley: Your feedback is appreciated Mr. Simmons . Ms. Liss: Would it just be parking and not the whole use that would be re-reviewed? Ms. McAuley: Correct. DAPR thought it was a good use, but had two good conditions for hours and parking. Mr. Simmons: Music at 11pm is not appropriate either. It reverberates off the railroad tracks and pushes sound into the neighborhood. 10pm is more appropriate in my mind. Chuck Oseberg at 912 Greenwood: Concerned about parking, but appreciates that it would be looked into by DAPR and is happy if they could get in touch with Ms. Liss if there were problems. There wouldn’t be music every night and it likely wouldn’t be amplified. It’s not a music venue. Ms. Liss : Correct. Mr. Oseberg: Parking is the concern for me, not the music . Vince and Heidi, House closest to the proposed venue: We are supportive of the business because Andrea will do a great job. W e want to support her as a neighbor. We have some conc erns with music going to 11pm but think it is a lovely venue and it isn’t 7 days a week of intense use. There is some concern about the music if its loud and amplified, but expects it won’t be often. Applauds Ms. Liss for the effort to pick up and dispose of trash. Parking is awful here, but there s ounds like there are good guidelines in place to address this concern. We w ant to support small businesses like this, especially now. Page 4 of 5 Zoning Board of Appeals Ms. McAuley: Shutting down the business or music at 10pm if other venues are open later, would put her business at a disadvantage. The key is open communication between the venue and the neighbors. 10pm would be a huge burden on the business and make it non-competitive. Vince: Only concern was for outdoor music , not indoors . Dan Simmons: Amplified music is really the problem, but other music, even outdoors would be fine. Dan Clark 1325 Elmwood: Andrea does amazing work. We are s upportive of the use! Ms. Liss: The venue is too small for loud music, it would be terrible. What I’m proposing is like an electric violin or guitar. I don’t want to do anything that would make any of my neighbors unhappy and would bend over backward to make this happen and make them approve and support it. Vince: We should be supportive of a small business. This isn’t like a Casino. I’m the closest house to this use and I support it with the necessary processes that are being talked about Deliberation: Chair Cullen: I approve of this use and agree we need to support a small business that is locally owned. Ms. Arevalo: I am also s upportive. The business plan and all the accommodations by Andrea is commendable and thoughtful. Everything involved in this project is exemplary . Mr. Mirintchev: I am also s upportive. The concerns are real, but the adjacent two properties are more commercial than residential. I know this location very well. Parking is an issue, but the conflict is likely not to occur, especially with the valet and hours for the events. I support the 12 month reevaluation of parking. This is important. Mr. Puchtel: I am in favor of the project. Andrea is a responsible business owner and the DAPR conditions are prudent and reasonable. I have no doubts that a ny concerns that may arise can and will be resolved. Ms. McAuley: I am also s upportive of the use and a long time Evanstonian. Reading of standards: A. Yes B. Yes C. Yes (MM Would like to add condition for review by DAPR) D. Yes E. Yes F. Yes G. NA Page 5 of 5 Zoning Board of Appeals H. NA I. Yes Ms. McAuley made a m otion for approval with conditions on hours of operation (exterior music end at 11pm SU-TH and 12am F-S and review of parking in 12 months by DAPR as well as development in s ubstantial compliance with the documents and testimony on record. Ms. Arevalo seconded the motion and unanimously approved 5-0. Adjourned 8:45pm