Alderman Moore's Decision on Island Groove's Tavern License Application
Dear Neighbor,
As you may know, the owners of the Island Groove Café, 7644 N. Sheridan Road, have asked me to support their application for a tavern liquor license to operate a night club at the site. In order to apply for a tavern license at that site, they must first apply for a special use permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Although it is not controlling, my opinion as Alderman carries considerable weight with both the Zoning Board of Appeals, which considers the special use permit application, and the Mayor's Liquor Commissioner, who considers the tavern license application. I held two community meetings on the issue, and the matter was reviewed by the 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee at several meetings.
After careful consideration of all the issues, including the opinions of those who live closest to the location, I have decided to oppose Island Groove Café's application for a special use permit. Denial of the special use permit would prevent the owners from applying for a liquor license. In the unlikely event that the Zoning Board of Appeals grants a special use permit, I will also oppose the Island Groove's application for a tavern liquor license.
I would like to thank the many community residents who attended the meetings and/or shared their views with me through letters, e-mails and telephone calls Your thoughtful opinions helped me arrive at my decision on this issue.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Very truly yours,
Joseph A. Moore
13 comments:
Well given all the trouble thats been taking place outside the cafe recently, that has to be a good thing, doesn't it?
I believe Joe might be starting to listen to his constituents.
I'm thankful the Groove has been eliminated from consideration.
They've proved they can't handle the responsibility. We don't need another low-life hangout close to Howard St.
Googling the Island Groove Cafe, If my understanding is correct, the Cafe has only been open for less than a year?
It looks like the original intention for the place was to be a venue for live music, jazz etc.
I've never been to the cafe, so maybe someone can answer this for me, but are the recent developments due to poor ownership, or just that they were unlucky to have been situated in a bad part of the neighbourhood and thus have attracted the wrong clientele?
The Alderman's statement directly contradicts what Mike Land was quoted to have said in a phone conversation (“Neighbor Hears Four Shots Fired” posted July 23 - comments section, comment posted by breecat at 6:06 that night). Why would Mike give out such wrong information? How can Mike, staff member of the Alderman's Office and Zoning Board Representative be so "misinformed"? Was he actually misquoted by breecat or . . . WHAT? What's the story, breecat? What's the story, Mike? What's really up here?
To answer Mark Fletcher's question: I'd say location probably did a lot to do with it (as the old real estate saying goes "location, location, location") but I would also have to lay a good bit of the blame on greedy business owners who would rather subject the neighborhood to ribaldry and dangerous behavior than prohibit unsavory individuals from partonizing their establishment. I guess I won’t be happy until this place is closed down for good. Is that going to be the next step?
Perhaps Moore got a scare put into him by Gordon's claim against him. At least something positive came out of that, or else Moore got tired of hearing people bitch. Either way, at least something happened that isn't going to bring down RP even more.
The North Coast said...
"I believe Joe might be starting to listen to his constituents."
Is it possible that a bounced check to Moore's campaign changed the tides?
Wow - I just got home from work and this is news to me. Craig, did you receive this from the Alderman's office in an email?
I never know if I'm on their email list or not. sometimes I get stuff, sometimes I don't. I sure didn't get this.
I spoke to Michael Land a little less than 24 hours ago, and I very carefully paraphrased the things he said to me in our phone conversation, and only those things which I recalled very clearly.
He gave me no indication at all that the Alderman might be leaning toward overruling the ZULAC decision. But then again, I can see why it wouldn't have been appropriate for him to comment on it if Moore hadn't announced it yet.
I am almost holding my breath hoping this is true. Can someone verify that this is from the Alderman's office? Not that I don't believe you Craig, but I'm wondering in what form was this announcement made? Just an email? Or a press release?
Whoops - Forgot to add that in my first post in the other thread, my direct quote from Michael Land regarding the actual results of the ZULAC meeting is an actual quote. I cut and pasted it here directly from his email to me.
I got it from his political e-mail blast this morning.
Plus, it's now posted on his website. Thesame day he posted the minutes to the July ZULAC meeting, a meeting he said he would approve of the deal if ZULAC did. Which they overwhelmingly recommended!
Never mind Craig, I see you got it right from the horse's mouth - I just used my brain and checked the ward49 web site.
I'm home early from work today because I'm feeling under the weather - sore throat and fever - so I probably shouldn't be posting at all. But this is huge. I'm really floored by it.
One question comes immediately to mind though, and that is whether they will be allowed to continue operating as a "private club" and renting the place out as they have been. I actually understood the ZULAC logic about wanting them to go "legit" rather than stay in this netherland they've been in, where there aren't clear laws or rules about their responsibilities as club stewards.
If they keep having the private parties, we will keep being subject to whatever manner of people they choose to rent out to. And that has been the problem all along, and more so the last few weeks, as I wrote earlier.
But I am thrilled that this will likely be the death knell for any attempts they make at securing a liquor license. I was dreading the work that was ahead in terms of having meetings, documenting behavior, knocking on neighbors' doors, and checking the legal bounds for this whole process.
I came home to my little apartment this afternoon, looked around and said, I don't want to have to move again! I just fixed this place up so it's cute. I can see the sunsets every evening, and can even see the lake when there are no leaves on the trees. :-) There are barn swallows in the back yard, and my landlord keeps the place clean and the rent reasonable. My neighbors are a smorgesboard of Rogers Park, they're relatively quiet, and everyone keeps to their own business.
Wow - I'm floored. Joe screwed up in reverse :D
Good for Joe! Let's hope he continues to listen to his constituents' concerns.
I wonder if the Broken Heart played a role in this? If so, here's to the power of the people!
"Cafe has only been open for less than a year...looks like the original intention for the place was to be a venue for live music, jazz etc."
When they first wanted to open Island Groove, this was their publicized intention. It sounded like a good plan. Too bad it didn't play out that way.
Live Blues,Jazz, and Gospel music are beening played at Island Groove Cafe on 2nd and 4th thursday and on every 2nd sunday there is Gospel Music for the past 4 months. Please come out to support your local Musicians.
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