By Jason Arndt
Correspondent
Public input is sought about the annual conditional use permit issued to the R&R Club in downtown Union Grove, following debate touched off Monday night at the village’s Plan Commission meeting.
“I am tired of getting ambushed and picked on anytime I come in here,” Club owner Ric Storbeck complained to commissioners.
“Everything has been fine and there has been no police calls to us, and yet I still get ambushed.”
Storbeck’s comments came Monday night in reference to last month’s Plan Commission meeting, where a neighbor complained about loud noise and a Village Trustee commented about the intended use of an outdoor patio.
At the May Plan Commission meeting, Village Trustee Teresa Holm stated that R&R’s conditional use permit was granted on the premise the patio would be used for family dining.
But Storbeck said it’s not even being used for that limited purpose.
Storbeck noted that the patio has been locked and not used for business since the May Planning Commission meeting.
And it will stay locked in order to prevent any issues or rift with other downtown businesses and neighbors, he added.
“It will only be used for special occasions and events,” Storbeck said.
R&R Club was granted a special use permit for a June 23 cancer benefit to raise money for a local resident in need of financial assistance after battling cancer.
Prior to Monday’s Planning Commission meeting, Storbeck mentioned a similar fundraiser in May brought in $12,000 to help a man pay off debt on medical bills.
A public hearing will be called within a month due to modifications to the Club’s originally issued conditional use permit to minimize any potential repercussions.
Planning Commission member Owen Lackey stressed the importance of a conditional use permit and the precedent it may open for other downtown businesses seeking modification of their permits.
“You need to find common ground with all of Main Street,” Lackey advised Storbeck Monday night.
Complaints have come from just one source, it was noted. One Planning Commission member said she has been over to R&R and that the property looks clean.
“I live across the street and have had only one issue of noise,” said member Ann Kerkman. “It is not enough of a problem.”
The Planning Commission and Storbeck discussed potential measures of the central concerns related to the outdoor patio.
Village President Mike Aimone mentioned that complaints may not just be centered solely on loud music but also due to patrons remaining outside and carrying on loud conversations.
A portion of the R&R conditional use permit indicates no loud music will be played after 9 p.m. on weeknights and no alcohol sales made from the beer garden by 10 p.m.
The time and date of the upcoming public hearing had not yet been set as of press time.
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