River Forest officials amended the Historic Preservation code in an effort to streamline it while also creating two liquor license classifications at the July 20 village board meeting.
David Franek, chair of the historic commission, told officials that the review of the code was triggered by an increase in applications involving garage demolitions. Discussions among commissioners and village staff members about making that portion of the code more efficient led to the decision to review the code in its entirety, Luke Masella, deputy clerk, said in a memo to Matt Walsh, village administrator.
He said the goal of the effort, which began in 2024 and continued through June, was to “identify opportunities to streamline the review process, simplify the ordinance and modernize its provisions.”
According to Franek, significant changes include requiring applicants to meet with the commission before submitting a building permit application and authorizing the architectural subcommittee to determine if proposed demolition of garages and other accessory structures warrant full commission review.
Other significant changes include reducing the number of meetings from two to one in most cases by allowing the architectural subcommittee to review applications for completeness and expanding the demolition delay period from six months to nine months for significant properties not classified as public recreational and institutional.
Officials supported another significant change, reducing the required mailing radius for the local landmark designation process from 500 feet to 200 feet, but carried the reduction further by eliminating the requirement that such mailings be by certified mail.
The new liquor license classifications allow salon operators and caterers to provide alcohol to their customers.
Jessica Spencer, assistant village administrator, explained in a memo to Walsh that new classifications were created in response to requests from local businesses.
She said Villa Nail Spa operators requested the ability to offer limited alcoholic beverages for consumption by customers receiving salon services, which include manicures and pedicures.
Ken Dang, owner of the salon at 7341 Lake St., told Wednesday Journal that his goal is to help customers relax and noted he has no plans to charge for the drinks. He also said the practice is gaining in popularity. Spencer agreed, noting that she has “encountered this type of license in other communities.”
Spencer said customers would be limited to one serving of alcohol, citing champagne or wine as examples.
Although the request came from a nail spa, Spencer said the classification would be available to all salons.
The other request came from Nita Patton, owner of Nita’s Bakery. She is working with the owner of Hub Kitchen in River Forest to lease commercial kitchen space for preparation of her custom baked goods.
Spencer said Patton proposes offering fully baked cupcakes accompanied by pipettes filled with liquor. Each pipette will contain two tablespoons of liquor intended to complement select products. Orders will be limited to six pipettes for 12 cupcakes and 12 pipettes for 24 cupcakes, she added.
She cited Kahlua, a rum and coffee liqueur, as an example.
Spencer said both proposed liquor license classifications were drafted to ensure that alcohol service remains secondary to the primary operations of each business. The ordinance includes restrictions governing alcohol service, employee training, insurance requirements, advertising and compliance with state and local regulations, she said.
Once each applicant successfully completes the license application and passes the background check, village staff members will review and approve the licenses for these two businesses. Future applicants will also be approved by the village board at future meetings.