Live music at Copper Fiddle OK with advisory panel
Lake Zurich's Copper Fiddle Distillery has received a thumbs-up from an advisory village panel on a request to continue offering live entertainment.
Planning and zoning commission members voted 5-0 Wednesday in favor of granting an amended special-use permit to Copper Fiddle so it's clear that what usually are acoustic guitar performances Friday and Saturday nights are allowed in the Route 22 craft distillery.
Village board trustees, who have the final say on issues, will receive the planning and zoning commission's recommendation before holding a final vote on Copper Fiddle's permit Monday, June 6.
At Wednesday night's meeting, Copper Fiddle co-owner Fred Robinson said the entertainment started in 2015 under what seemed to be an allowed use in the distillery's permit to operate in Lake Zurich.
However, village zoning inspector Mary Meyer recommended the business seek the amended permit to add clarity on the distillery being allowed to host the performances.
Some concerns about Copper Fiddle's music arose at the meeting. Whitney Road resident Edward Socki, who lives behind Copper Fiddle, said he prefer that a new request for two Thursday night open-mic music evenings per month not be allowed. He said his bedroom faces the distillery.
"We would not like to see it increase any more as far as live entertainment due to the sound," Socki said.
Robinson responded that he books the musicians and tells them to reduce the volume if he finds it too loud.
Under the planning and zoning commission recommendation for the amended permit, Copper Fiddle's music would be allowed only from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. There also would be a provision in the permit allowing village officials to investigate the businesses' effort to prevent sound from traveling if noise is considered a problem.
"It will be policed," planning and zoning commission Chairman Orlando Stratman said of the conditions.
Last month, the Lake Zurich village board agreed to grant a temporary permit to Copper Fiddle to allow the music to continue before a final decision on the permit occurs.
Copper Fiddle wants to enhance existing business with the weekend acoustic shows and attract new patrons from across the suburbs.
Robinson and Jose Hernandez, both Hawthorn Woods residents, opened Copper Fiddle in March 2014 and produce handcrafted gin and bourbon. Copper Fiddle's spirits not only are served at the distillery, but also are distributed to local bars and restaurants.