No dance area at eSkape after all?

After calling the village of Buffalo Grove "too rigid," the managing partner of eSkape Entertainment Center told the village board Monday he is withdrawing his request to open a new dance area at the establishment.

But Village President Elliott Hartstein and Trustee Jeffrey Berman were able to talk Bill Feldgreber out of leaving the council chambers.

The exchange occurred during a public hearing on zoning changes to allow the new dance-party area called The Arena at eSkape, 350 McHenry Road. The approximately 3,500-square-foot former laser tag space would allow dancing Fridays and Saturdays - one night for dancers 17 to 24, one for patrons 21 and older. When not used for dancing, the room would be used for special events.

Feldgreber objected to a number of 23 conditions placed on the petition by the village, some of which were suggested by Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steve Balinski. During an earlier public hearing on Oct. 19, Balinski had raised concerns about potential problems with drug and alcohol use and gang activity at the club. Balinski's concerns stemmed from information he'd received from other local police departments with similar clubs in their towns.

The conditions call for The Arena to close at 1 a.m., one hour earlier than eSkape. They also mandate a limitation be placed on the number of dance parties held during a month. In addition, eSkape would have to hire at least two Buffalo Grove police officers to work on site, in addition to regular security personnel.

Feldgreber argued that during hard economic times, the conditions would be cost -prohibitive. He said there would be "too many restrictions on an already difficult task," he said. "It would be economically impossible to succeed."

Feldgreber criticized the village's treatment of businesses and also expressed his frustration that no board members were present during his meetings with the village.

Hartstein praised Feldgreber as a stalwart member of the community. Berman added that Feldgreber raised a number of points that could be subject to some flexibility.

"We can't do that if basically you are throwing the towel in," he said.

Feldgreber eventually agreed to continue negotiations; the board continued the public hearing until Dec. 7.