Story posted Thursday, January 21, 2010
Dance Club Good To Go--- Almost
By RICHARD MAYER Assistant Managing Editor
Issues over security at a proposed dance club inside Buffalo Grove's eSkape Family Entertainment Center have been worked out prompting the drafting of an ordinance for possible approval on Monday, Feb. 1.
Village trustees decided to allow owner Bill Feldgreber to provide his own private security. However, if the village or police department believe there is a "credible threat" of activity occurring or going to occur at or inside the club, Feldgreber will be required to have two uniformed police officers on site at his expense.
Examples of a "credible threat" would be if the police department received a tip or other information that a gang was going to show up at the club or a drug deal was going to occur in that area.
Feldgreber currently has 12 surveillance cameras throughout his establishment, which will be tied into the police department's system, so authorities can view activity there at any time.
Feldgreber is proposing that a 3,580 sq. ft., dance club be added within the current eSkape facility. The new dance area would be located in the empty laser tag area.
The proposed dance club would accommodate patrons under the age of 21 one weekend night and over 21 the other weekend night. The club would also be open on 10 evenings prior to or on national holidays (New Year's, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas).
Another stipulation that will likely be part of the ordinance will include a six-month review by village staff and police. Feldgreber at that time will need to ask for an extension of the Special Use Permit to continue operating the club.
Feldgreber said he is content with the six-month review.
"If I am not happy with what I am seeing I will pull the plug because I am not going to let a teen dance club affect my overall establishment," said Feldgreber.
The Special Use Permit still needs final approval. On Jan. 4 it seemed as if village trustees were split 3-3 on whether or not to allow the dance club to operate.
The three board members earlier this month seemingly in favor of this proposal were Lisa Stone, Steve Trilling, and Jeff Berman. Trustees against it at that time were Jeff Braiman, Beverly Sussman and DeAnn Glover. If that vote stays the same at the Feb. 1 meeting, President Elliott Hartstein will cast the deciding vote.
If approved, Feldgreber said he foresees the club operating by the beginning of March, because that would give him enough time to ensure all requirements were met by the fire department and building and zoning.
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