Noise silences Des Plaines karaoke bar

Des Plaines aldermen have pulled the plug on plans for a karaoke bar in the downtown.

Agrim Shah of Wilmette had the unanimous OK of aldermen last month for a liquor license to open the Karma Karaoke Bar at 1526 Miner St.

On Monday, aldermen reversed their position, voting 6-2 to reject the bar, citing noise and parking as concerns.

Des Plaines 6th Ward Alderman Mark Walsten called himself a karaoke fan.

Walsten said that's how he knows how loud it can get when people croon their favorite songs into a microphone.

In fact, he noted that it just sounds better when it's louder.

Walsten was among those who voted to deny a liquor license to Shah for the bar, which would have been located on Miner near Pearson Street. The location was formerly a Subway sandwich shop.

First Ward Alderman Patricia Beauvais also opposed the bar because of noise.

"I'm very concerned that it is very close to residents," Beauvais said.

Shah appealed to aldermen by offering to soundproof the bar to protect neighbors.

"I don't think my music will ever be that loud to go across the street," Shah said.

Backers of the Karma Karaoke Bar also said the same downtown dwellers complaining about the potential for noise from the karaoke bar endure the regular sound of trains rumbling through downtown.

Third Ward Alderman Laura Murphy said she couldn't see how people would park in the Metropolitan Square parking lot and walk to the bar.

Fourth Ward Alderman Jean Higgason and 7th Ward Alderman Don Smith favored giving Shah a liquor license. In light of the sour economy, they said they only saw a benefit in allowing a new business into town.