The Homer Glen Village Board approved a six-month moratorium on issuing any new liquor, tobacco and gaming licenses so officials can review and update the village’s ordinances.
Attorney Mark Daniel said he believed the moratorium is a detriment to business owners such as his client, the NSS Group, pursuing building a gas station, car wash, convenience store and Italian beef restaurant on about 3 acres of vacant land on the west side of Bell Road, just north of Glengary Drive.
The business would need a liquor license and the proposal goes to the village’s Plan Commission next week. Daniel said a moratorium sets off red flags when trying to secure financing for a project.
More Top Picks Best Blackout Curtains For Kids Rooms
“You are on the line of Cook County,” he said. “You are literally walking away from revenue on a matter that is pretty common throughout Homer Glen and the surrounding areas.”
Village Trustee Dan Fialko said while the moratorium is for six months, the village is likely to have the review done in fewer than three months. He said the six-month time frame is a cushion to update ordinances.
Other trustees agreed.
“We are open for business,” Trustee Craig McNaughton said. “We are business friendly. This will not take six months.”
Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike said the village’s staff, including the deputy clerk, the economic development director and the director of planning and zoning, will review the ordinances before giving their suggestions to the Economic Development Committee. The full board will have to give final approval.
Neitzke-Troike said she believes the liquor ordinance is outdated. For instance, it states that only current residents can have a liquor license, although this portion of the ordinance is not enforced.
The village also does not do a criminal-background check on business owners with tobacco licenses, and the board can decide if that is something they want changed, she said.
Neitzke-Troike said it’s important to not have too much of one type of business saturate the town, such as gaming machines or tobacco shops, so the review will ensure the board’s vision for development is met. This would also protect existing businesses, she said.
The moratorium will not apply to temporary liquor licenses, special event liquor licenses or to businesses with existing licenses that need to be renewed, village officials said.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.