Brunswick Zone agrees to work on light compromise

It may be time for Brunswick Zone XL to turn down the lights after all, a company official said this week.

Though the establishment didn't violate any village laws, Algonquin reserves the right to dim the lights, said Assistant Village Manager Jeff Mihelich.

Village officials and Brunswick Zone XL Manager Matthew Fletcher say both parties are putting together potential solutions that everyone can live with.

"Brunswick is diligently working with the city to address any neighbor's concern," Fletcher said.

At issue are six decorative lights outside the entertainment complex that shine through a pair of skylights in a nearby house.

The owner, resident Brian Schooley brought the issue to village trustees last month, saying the white light beaming into his back windows was creating a quality of life issue.

Blinds already cover the windows and patio door to block the light coming from the business. But putting blinds on the skylights is not an option, he said.

For the three years, he's lived in the Willoughby Farms subdivision near Randall and County Farm roads, Schooley said he's enjoyed uninterrupted darkness.

He said he always knew that the property Brunswick Zone XL sits on today was zoned for commercial use.

The establishment officially opened March 12.

Village officials have said Schooley is the only person to bring this matter to their attention.

Now that the village and business have come together to solve the problem, Schooley says he's excited about the good news.

"That's encouraging, definitely," he said.