The city of Evanston Design & Project Review Committee met Jan. 11 to grant a special use permit for a micro-distillery.
Here is the meeting's agenda, as provided by the committee:
DESIGN AND PROJECT REVIEW COMMITTEE (DAPR) MINUTES
January 11, 2017
Voting Members Present: M. Muenzer, I. Eckersberg, J. Nelson, M. Tristan, G.
Gerdes, S. Mangum, P. Zalmezak, L. Biggs, M. Klotz,
M. Jones
Staff Present:
Others Present:
Presiding Member: M. Muenzer
A quorum being present, M. Muenzer called the meeting to order at 2:30 pm.
New Business:
1) 600 Main Street (Metra Station) Recommendation to ZBA
Walter Clements, lessee, submits for a special use permit for a Micro-Distillery (winemixing)
in the B2 Business District and oDM Dempster-Main Overlay District.
PRESENTED BY: Walter Clements, Lessee
DISCUSSION:
The business will operate under a craft winery liquor license, preparing wine in bulk
and repackaging it for wholesale and retail.
Retail wine will be sold in a reusable and sustainable format for consumption. A
tasting room will also sell wine by the glass.
The wholesale operation will include preservation tanks to store wine and facilitate
mixing.
Truck deliveries will occur monthly to start, and then likely occur no more than twice
weekly. Delivery times will be coordinated to minimize impact on pedestrian and
train rush commute.
Hours of operation will be 3pm to 10pm on weeknights, and 3pm to 11pm on
weekends.
There will be one staff member when the business opens.
There are six parking spots at the building, including three ADA accessible spots.
Union Pacific owns the entire property, including the alleyway, which could be
converted into a seating area. Any seating area would be planned with pedestrian
accessibility or traffic issues in mind.
Exterior changes will include an architecturally appropriate overhead door to
facilitate delivery.
APPROVED
Construction could occur in phases, separating preparation of the wholesale area
from the retail, tasting room, and outdoor seating areas. The committee clarified that
applicant should present plans that include all phases of construction for ZBA
meeting.
Mr. Gerdes asked whether the six parking spots at the property are also counted
with adjacent Union Pacific parking used by commuters for ADA accessibility. The
applicant will speak with Union Pacific about this prior to converting any ADA
accessible parking into standard parking spots.
The applicant stated that distribution will be handled by third party vehicles.
Ms. Eckersberg asked whether second floor uses would be included. The applicant
is working with Union Pacific on a plan for second floor uses. The committee clarified
that adding second floor use in the future could potentially result in a new special
use permit depending on the scope of the use on that floor.
Mr. Gerdes moved to recommend approval to ZBA, seconded by Ms. Biggs. The
committee voted unanimously 10-0 to recommend approval to ZBA.
Other Business:
Approval of the January 4, 2017 meeting minutes.
Ms. Biggs moved to approve the minutes from January 4, 2017, seconded by Mr.
Nelson.
The Committee voted unanimously, 9-0, with one abstention, to approve the
minutes of the January 4, 2017 DAPR meeting.
Adjournment:
Ms. Biggs moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Mangum.
The meeting adjourned at 3:11 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas Zettel
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