Licenses Approved, Grants Issued, Development Moves Forward

The St. Charles Government Operations Committee convened on September 19, 2024, to review a range of business and community development items, including liquor licenses, ordinance amendments, grants, and Planned Unit Development (PUD) updates.

Omnibus Vote Sets Agenda

The meeting began with a roll call and the approval of an Omnibus vote, which passed unanimously. This allowed the committee to efficiently address the main agenda items.

Liquor License Approvals

B1 Liquor License for Aqua e Farina

• Location: 2712 East Main Street

• Vote: Approved 7-1

• Background: The applicant previously hosted a private event serving alcohol without a license. Law enforcement exercised discretion due to cooperation. Despite this, the committee approved the license, allowing Aqua e Farina to expand their services to include alcohol.

D10 Liquor License Amendment and Application for Moto Arar Incorporated

• Ordinance Amendment: The committee approved a new D10 license classification to accommodate venues like museums and entertainment centers where alcohol service is ancillary to the primary business function (vote: 8-0).

• Moto Arar Application: The vintage motorcycle museum at 1317 East Main Street applied for a D10 license. The applicant disclosed a past reckless driving plea but was not precluded from approval. The license allows small plate service with alcohol ancillary to museum operations and was unanimously approved (8-0).

Community Development: Facade Improvement Grant

The committee approved a Historic Preservation Commission grant for 303 North Third Avenue to install historically appropriate half-round gutters, covering $4662.50 of the total project cost of $9325. This project aligns with St. Charles’ ongoing efforts to preserve its historic architecture.

Minor PUD Change for Legacy Business Center

A minor change to the Planned Unit Development (PUD) at 3550 Legacy Boulevard was approved, allowing the property owner to add a building addition and expand parking. Staff recommended processing this as a minor change to streamline approval rather than submitting a new preliminary PUD plan. The vote was unanimous (8-0).

Key Takeaways from the Meeting

• The committee continues to support local businesses through liquor license approvals while considering community concerns.

• Historic preservation remains a priority with grants for building improvements.

• Development flexibility is maintained through streamlined PUD updates.

• The committee handled the meeting efficiently, with no public comments or additional items from city officials.

Conclusion

The September 19 meeting demonstrates St. Charles’ balanced approach to business growth, historic preservation, and development planning. By approving liquor licenses, ordinance amendments, grants, and PUD updates, the city supports local entrepreneurs and property owners while maintaining community standards and safety.