West Dundee grounds coffeehouse

A coffeehouse nestled inside a charming Victorian house in West Dundee sure sounded like a good idea to some.

But it was one the village board ultimately turned down this week, due in part to strong opposition from neighbors.

Charles Denofrio has lived in the house on Oregon Avenue since 1982 and asked that the village change the zoning on his lot so he could open a coffeehouse on the first floor of his 1870, two-story house. He would continue to live upstairs.

Denofrio planned on partnering with Arlene Botta, owner of the Measuring Cup cafe and patisserie in East Dundee, to bring coffee and freshly baked pastries to sell out of his home. He also hoped to run a book club and a free exchange library out of the house.

The business would have been open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. to minimize impact on neighbors. The pair had been working with village for four months on the joint venture.

Botta runs the Measuring Cup with her husband and two daughters. She viewed the partnership as a way to expand her business and give it more visibility. Denofrio is one of her customers and two years ago he hired Botta to cater a Christmas party at his house while it was open to the public during the Dickens in Dundee holiday celebration. The two later became friends and decided to collaborate on the business endeavor.

“It's a very natural thing,” Denofrio said. “I have the location and the property and they have the expertise and the experience. And what better marriage could you want?”

Apparently, it's a marriage that at least 30 residents living nearby say should never take place in their neighborhood, which “Good Morning America” named as the winner of its Best Block in America contest last year.

The historic, well-to-do area of South Second Street between South Street and Edward Avenue, was noted for its manicured lawns, Americana-adorned wraparound porches and family-oriented nature. Neighbors, some saying the proposal threatens that image, circulated a petition on the issue and turned out in force at Monday night's meeting to oppose the plan.

They say the zoning change would bring increased traffic to their area, create parking issues, make it harder for them to sell their homes and disrupt the private, small-town life to which they are accustomed. “If you're going to have a business where you have strangers coming and going ... again, it really infringes on what you're trying to do as a residential area,” said Dr. Jay Guevara, a West Dundee native who has lived in the neighborhood since 2002.

Some also cited the village's comprehensive plan, adopted in 2005, that limits businesses to property north of Oregon Avenue and reserves the land south of Oregon Avenue, where Denofrio's house lies, for residents.

In addition, said resident Larry Wilbrandt, officials should focus first on filling empty space downtown before they bring businesses to residential areas.

“Don't mess with the neighborhood here,” Wilbrandt said.

After the discussion, the board took a straw poll and Village President Larry Keller was the only member in support of the rezoning.

“Things change over time,” said Keller, who was once opposed to Spring Hill Mall being built across the street from his house, but learned to live with it. “Life changes and we get along.”

The board is scheduled to take an official vote in October. Denofrio is expecting a “no” vote and plans to open the business in another town.