The Board of Zoning Appeals met on Monday, April 18, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Mr. Monnett, Mr. Blevins and Mr. Matrana.
ROLL CALL/DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
Mr. Carlucci administered the roll call.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCEAPPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Monnett made a motion to approve the March 21, 2005 minutes of the Plainfield Board of Zoning Appeals as written. Second by Mr. Blevins. Motion carried.
Mr. Haase abstained from voting since he was not present at the above meeting.
OATH OF TESTIMONY
Mr. Daniel administered the Oath of Testimony.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Mr. Matrana reviewed the Guidelines Governing the Conduct of Public Hearings. The first hearing tonight is BZA-05-002 concerning the Homewood Suites.
Mr. Carlucci said Homewood Suites is located at 2264 E. Hadley Road in Plainfield. They have been serving alcohol there for an extended period of time. I was reading the legal notices in the paper and noticed that they were applying for an ABC permit. I recalled that we have not issued a Special Use permit for that. You can get an alcohol beverage permit from the State but if you are located in the General Commercial District, you also have to have a Special Use from the Board of Zoning Appeals because that is in our Zoning Ordinance so that is why we are here tonight. My understanding is that they serve alcohol to their guests from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. All service is indoors, no outdoor service is allowed. This was in their Findings of Fact.
Mr. Matrana asked, is this the first time that they have applied for a permit with ABC or is this like a renewal?
Mr. Carlucci said I think they were up for renewal when I saw it.
Mr. Jack Murphy, General Manager of the Homewood Suites at 2264 E. Hadley Road said actually we have been serving alcohol from almost day one unaware that there was zoning against it. When it was brought to my attention that we needed to have this Special Use, it was not only news to me but news to my corporate office too. So, that is why I am here.
Mr. Matrana asked, when did Homewood Suites open? Was it about six years ago?
Mr. Murphy said no, just a little bit under two years ago, August 5, 2003.
Mr. Carlucci asked, do you have the green cards and certified letters?
Mr. Murphy said yes.
Mr. Haase asked, would this variance go with Homewood Suites and would not have to come back here at any particular time to get it renewed?
Mr. Daniel said that is correct.
Mr. Haase asked, would it run with whoever owns the suites? If it would change names or ownership, would the variance run with that hotel?
Mr. Daniel said no. I think if somebody came in there, they would have to have their own State permit and I believe they would have to reapply.
Mr. Carlucci said they also have specific conditions in how they serve alcohol too that should be part of the motion. Those are the hours and the times that you serve, it’s all indoors and not outdoors. That may be problematic for somebody else if they take it over later and they may want to do something different.
Mr. Haase asked, have your hours and days been consistent?
Mr. Murphy said the time is 5:30 to 7:30 Monday through Thursday and that’s it. We don’t even use our liquor license, like if a group of guests check in and want to use our liquor license to serve alcoholic in a meeting room after hours, we don’t even do that. It is strictly Monday through Thursday 5:30 to 7:30.
Mr. Matrana asked, is there anyone in the audience who would care to speak on this matter? Being no once coming forward I will close the public portion of this hearing and open it up to board members for discussion or a motion.
Mr. Haase made a motion that the Board of Zoning Appeals grant the request of Homewood Suites, BZA-05-002 to provide for the distribution of alcoholic beverages to in-house clients and their guests as set forth in the petition and the submitted Findings of Fact, which distribution of alcohol shall be Monday through Thursday nights from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All service shall be in-door. Second by Mr. Monnett. Roll call vote called.
Mr. Monnett – yes
Mr. Blevins – yes
Mr. Cavanaugh – absent
Mr. Haase – yes
Mr. Matrana – yes
4-ayes, 0-opposed, 1-absent. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Matrana said the next matter before the board is a withdrawal petition of BZA-04-030, Murphy Oil USA. We need a motion to certify the withdrawal.
Mr. Haase made a motion to accept the withdrawal of petition BZA-04-030, Murphy Oil USA. Second by Mr. Monnett. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Monnett made a motion to adjourn. Second by Mr. Haase.
Meeting adjourned.
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Mr. Rick Matrana, President
