Banquet hall closer to reality in Palatine

Owners of a proposed banquet hall at the Laredo Plaza in Palatine have tweaked their plan to appease neighbors and village officials.

Brandi's Banquets would provide a space for weddings and meetings at 1170 E. Dundee Road. However, neighbors presented the village with a petition containing 109 signatures that raised concerns about traffic, noise and safety.

Village Manager Reid Ottesen said the banquet hall's owners have agreed to hire security guards who would work until 30 minutes past closing. The establishment would be open until 1 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The owners have agreed to roll back their hours, though the village's liquor license would allow them to serve cocktails until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 a.m. the other days.

Those changes have convinced the petitioners - all residents living in the nearby Windhaven Condominium development - to withdraw their objections, Ottesen added.

The two to four security guards would be there to ensure there are no wedding crashers, said Brandi's Banquets co-owner Diana Rojas. The hall would play host to Hispanic events, and its mission statement is: "To offer an affordable alternative to a culturally-diverse community to hold unforgettable memories within the beauty of an event hall in an ever-growing city without sacrificing financial comfort."

The banquet hall needs a variance allowing them to operate, as there are only 224 parking spaces available, not the 311 required by village code for a business as large as Brandi's. The hall also needs village clearance for disc jockeys and bands to play at functions. Live entertainment, however, wouldn't be the focal point of the business like it would at a concert venue or at Durty Nellie's.

The village council delayed vote on the matter, wanting additional information at a future meeting.