Buffalo Grove mayor vetoes dance club plan for eSkape

After gaining approval from the Buffalo Grove village board, the new dance club at eSkape entertainment center now faces another hurdle.

On Monday, Village President Elliott Hartstein exercised his veto against the two ordinances that would allow managing partner Bill Feldgreber to hold dances in a former laser-tag area on Friday and Saturday nights at the bowling alley and entertainment center at 350 McHenry Road. One night would be for 17-to-20 year olds, the other for those 21 and older.

After several public hearings, the village board finally approved the use, with Feldgreber agreeing to follow the wishes of Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steve Balinski in hiring two sworn village police officers for security.

But Hartstein, for the first time during his long tenure as village president, exercised his veto, saying feels the dance club would not meet the criteria for a special use since it would be harmful to the safety and welfare of the community.

Now the matter will be moved to the next village board meeting, where the board will decide whether to override Hartstein's veto.

Hartstein said the initial concept of a recreational outlet for young people was a commendable idea. But Hartstein cited Balinski's concerns, based on discussions with other law enforcement agencies and research into other dance clubs, that the club would attract a bad element from outside the community, resulting in a proliferation of gangs, guns and drugs.

He also referred to testimony from the director of Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group, Larry Lindeman. "He explained that such a facility creates a marketplace for drug dealers who are searching for new markets, especially in the suburbs, where young people have disposable incomes," Hartstein said.

Feldgreber said his facility is ready to open in a month. He said he has already invested $35,000.

"I was very surprised, because over nine public hearings, all of his comments and concerns have been addressed," Feldgreber said. "That he waited until the 10th hearing to bring up issues that were already covered is not necessary."

Feldgreber said the new dance area is basically ready to go.

"It is fully set up. It was mostly painted. The VIP area is built," he said. "All sound and lighting is installed. There is a full bar built."

Members of the community spoke up in defense of eSkape. Randi Sobel said a recent event to benefit Haiti that was held at eSkape attracted 400 families.

"Everything ran extremely smoothly. We had our own people there as security. It was completely unnecessary. Nothing happened," she said.

Sobel pleaded with the board, "Our teenagers need a place to go."

Vetoed: 'Our teenagers need a place to go,' resident says