Rockford Sun

City of Rockford Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board met Feb. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Present:

ZBA Members: Jarmeise McNeal

Kim Johnsen

Tom Fabiano

Craig Sockwell

Absent: Jennifer Spencer

Joel Zirkle

Jennifer Smith

Staff: Scott Capovilla - Planning and Zoning Manager

Jacob Rubin – Assistant City Attorney

Jeremy Carter – Traffic & Development Engineer

Tim Morris – Fire Prevention

Traci Madison – Administrative Assistant

Others:

Isidro Barrios – 11th Ward Alderman

Kyaton Shanklin - 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 Liquor and Tobacco secretary and the court reporter.

∙ 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, February 24, 2025 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, March 3, 2025. If the item is laid over at the LTAB meeting, the next meeting is Tuesday, March 18, 2025. 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 6:12 PM.

A MOTION was made by Tom Fabiano to APPROVE the January 22, 2025 meeting minutes. The motion was SECONDED by Craig Sockwell and CARRIED by a vote of 3-0-1 Jarmeise McNeal abstaining.

25-LTAB-001 311 Mulberry Street

Applicant Jaskirat Singh / Majha ASR Corp. dba Riverside Marketplace Ward 3 The sale of packaged liquor (Class PKG) in conjunction with a (Future Ward 13) convenience store in a C-4, Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District

The Applicant requested a layover.

A MOTION was made by Tom Fabiano to LAYOVER the sale of packaged liquor (Class PKG) in conjunction with a convenience store in a C-4, Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District. The MOTION was SECONDED by Jarmeise McNeal and CARRIED by a vote of 4-0.

25-LTAB-002 1620 North Bell School Road

Applicant Nu / Vanakkam India, LLC dba Vanakkam India Ward 1 The sale of liquor by the drink (Class NG-L) in conjunction with a restaurant in a C-1, Limited Office Zoning District

The Applicant, Nu, along with her husband, John Rajan were present. Mr. Rajan spoke on behalf of his wife. Mr. Rajan and his wife have owned the restaurant located at 1620 North Bell School Road for one year. The restaurant’s business continues to increase and now they are requesting to sell beer and wine in their establishment.

Assistant City Attorney Jacob Rubin asked if Mr. Rajan had received the staff report. Mr. Rajan answered no. Attorney Rubin read staff’s recommended conditions one through twelve to Mr. Rajan and asked if he understood and agreed to the conditions. Mr. Rajan answered yes and agreed. Attorney Rubin asked Mr. Rajan for clarification regarding this request if it is for beer and wine or a full liquor license. Mr. Rajan answered the request is for a full liquor license.

No Objectors or Interested parties were present.

Staff recommendation is for approval.

A MOTION was made by Jarmeise McNeal to APPROVE the sale of liquor by the drink (Class NG-L) in conjunction with a restaurant in a C-1, Limited Office Zoning District The MOTION was SECONDED by Tom Fabiano and CARRIED by a vote of 4-0.

Approval 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. The sale of liquor by the drink in conjunction with a restaurant.

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

5. The restaurant shall not operate as a nightclub.

6. Window display signage is limited to 20% of window area

7. The windows shall not be covered with bars or other devices that block the windows

8. The hours and days of operation for the business shall be Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The business will be closed on Mondays.

9. The facility is prohibited from having any video gaming machines.

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

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

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

25-LTAB-003 3402 North Main Street, Suite #112

Applicant Jeremy Petrocelli / Adam Fitzgerald / Vape N Juice, Inc. dba Vape N Juice

Ward 12 The sale of tobacco products in conjunction with a retail (vape) store in a C-2, Limited Commercial District

The Applicant failed to appear.

A MOTION was made by Craig Sockwell to LAYOVER the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with a retail (vape) store in a C-2, Limited Commercial District. The MOTION was SECONDED by Jarmeise McNeal and CARRIED by a vote of 4-0.

25-LTAB-004 6690 East State Street

Applicant Harold Lawlor / Anthony Garbis/ Barbeque Integrated, Inc. dba Smokey Bones

Ward 1 The sale of liquor by the drink (Class NG-L) in conjunction with a restaurant and outdoor seating area in a C-2, Limited

Commercial Zoning District

Attorney Harlan Powell, representing the applicant was present. Attorney Powell stated he has represented Smokey Bones for 24 months. Smokey Bones Rockford location is the second location in Illinois. It’s a full service restaurant that specializes in BBQ Ribs, steaks and hamburgers. Attorney Powell stated he read the staff’s recommendations and discussed the conditions with the Applicant had no objections to the conditions.

No Objectors or Interested parties were present.

Staff recommendation is for approval.

A MOTION was made by Tom Fabiano to APPROVE the sale of liquor by the drink (Class NG-L) in conjunction with a restaurant and outdoor seating area in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District The MOTION was SECONDED by Jarmeise McNeal and CARRIED by a vote of 4-0.

Approval 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. The sale of liquor by the drink in conjunction with a restaurant.

4. Window display signage is limited to 20% of window area.

5. The windows shall not be covered with bars or other devices that block the windows.

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

7. The restaurant shall not operate as a nightclub.

8. The hours and days of operation for the business shall be Monday through Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

9. The proposed use and facility are prohibited from having any video gaming machines.

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

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

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

With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 PM.

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