Rockford Sun

City of Rockford Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board met Oct. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Present:

ZBA Members: Craig Sockwell

Dan Roszkowski

Jennifer Smith

Kim Johnsen

Jarmeise McNeal

Jennifer Spencer

Tom Fabiano

Staff: Scott Capovilla - Planning and Zoning Manager

Kelly Nokes – Engineering Operations Manager

Tim Morris - Fire Inspector

Jacob Rubin – Assistant City Attorney

Traci Madison – Administrative Assistant

Others:

Alderman Gabrielle Torina

Alderman Isidro Barrios

Kristine Wesner - Court Stenographer

Applicants and interested parties

Scott Capovilla, Planning & Zoning Manager, explained the format of the meeting will follow the Boards Rules of Procedure generally outlined as follows:

•  The Chair will call the address of the application.

•  The Applicant or Representative will come forward and be sworn in.

•  The Applicant or representative will present their request to the Board.

•  The Board will ask any questions they may have regarding this application.

•  The Chairman will then ask if there are any Objectors or Interested Parties. Objectors or

Interested Parties are to come forward at that time, be sworn in by the Chairman, and give their name to the Zoning Board of Appeals secretary and the stenographer.

•  The Objector or Interested Party will state their name and present all their concerns, objections and questions regarding the application.

•  The Board will ask any questions they may have of the Objector or Interested Party.

•  The Applicant will have an opportunity to rebut the concerns/questions raised by the Objector or Interested Party.

•  No further discussion from the Objector or Interested Party will occur after the rebuttal of the Applicant.

•  The Board will ask any final questions they may have regarding this application.

•  The Board will then deliberate and a roll call vote taken.

The LTAB meeting is not a final vote on any item. However, it is the only time in which the public may participate. After the LTAB meeting, the item moves on to the Code & Regulation Committee. Although the public is invited to attend the meeting, public input is not allowed at the committee meeting. The date of the Code & Regulation meeting will be Monday, October 23, 2023 at 5:30 PM in City Council Chambers (2nd floor of City Hall) as the second vote on these items. The third and final meeting in this process is the City Council. That vote is tentatively scheduled on Monday, November 6, 2023. If the item is laid over at the LTAB meeting, the next meeting is November 21, 2023. If for any reason the item is laid over at the committee level or on the City Council floor, the item is automatically laid over for two (2) weeks.

The meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM.

A MOTION was made by Kim Johnsen to APPROVE the September 17, 2023 meeting minutes.

The motion was SECONDED by Jennifer Spencer and CARRIED by a vote of 6-0-1 with Tom Fabiano abstaining.

23-LTAB-020 7451 East State Street

Applicant Empire Slots E State LLC / Michael P. Capriola II dba Royalty Slots

Ward 1 The sale of liquor by the drink (Class E) in conjunction with video gaming terminals in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District.

Staff requested a layover of this application.

A MOTION was made by Craig Sockwell to LAYOVER the sale of liquor by the drink (Class E) in conjunction with video gaming terminals in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District.

The MOTION was SECONDED by Tom Fabiano and CARRIED by a vote of 7-0.

23-LTAB-024 3929 Broadway

Applicant Savoy, Inc./Ellen Somerford-Rowe dba Savoy Lounge Ward 8 A Modification of an existing liquor license for 100% stock transfer in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District.

Attorney Shelby Hoiness spoke on behalf of the applicant, Ellen Somerford-Rowe. Attorney Hoiness stated that Ms. Somerford-Rowe is proposing to do a modification with the current license transferring from her husband to Ms. Somerford-Rowe. The Savoy Lounge will stay 100% the same and they agree with all of the recommendations. They are working on putting together a plan that lays out where the seats are located and will submit a revised plan as requested.

No objectors or interested parties were present.

Staff recommendation is for approval.

A MOTION was made by Jennifer Spencer to APPROVE a Modification of an existing liquor license for 100% stock transfer in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District

The MOTION was SECONDED by Jarmeise McNeal and CARRIED by a vote of 7-0.

Approval is based on the following conditions:

1. Meet all applicable Building and Fire Codes.

2. Compliance with all City of Rockford Code of Ordinances including Liquor Codes.

3. Submittal of an interior floor plan showing seating for Staff’s review and approval.

4. The sale of alcohol shall be limited to the interior of the bar as submitted and shown as Exhibit F.

5. The hours and days of operation for the bar will be from Sunday through Saturday 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 A.M.

6. The bar shall not have a cover charge, dance floor, any DJs or any live entertainment.

7. The bar shall not operate as a nightclub.

8. Any pending general ordinance case(s) must be resolved prior to issuance of the license.

9. All outstanding general ordinance fines must be paid prior to the issuance of the license.

10. All conditions must be met prior to issuance of license and establishment of use.

23-LTAB-025 3801 West Riverside Boulevard

Applicant Aldi’s, Inc. dba Aldi’s

Ward 9 The sale of packaged beer and wine (Class PKG) in conjunction with a grocery store in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District

The applicant did not appear. Therefore, staff recommended a layover.

A MOTION was made by Kim Johnsen to LAYOVER the sale of packaged beer and wine (Class PKG) in conjunction with a grocery store in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District

The MOTION was SECONDED by Jarmeise McNeal and CARRIED by a vote of 7-0.

With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 6:07 PM.

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