Outdoor dining area approved for Lake Zurich restaurant
A Lake Zurich restaurant will be able to build an outdoor dining space, but its owner has voluntarily withdrawn plans to for live entertainment outdoors.
The Lake Zurich village board agreed Monday to allow Beelow’s Steakhouse to construct the outdoor space featuring seating for 120 people and a bar, fireplace, two waterfalls and a sliding roof. The restaurant opened at 763 S. Rand Road in 2010.
Approval came despite continued objections from nearby residents, who have complained about the noise they expect from the outdoor dining area.
“I don’t think anyone has an issue with the concept of outdoor dining,” Trustee Tom Poynton said. “And from my perception, adding waterfalls at each will help block sound of the noise coming from the restaurant heading toward the residents.”
Before the decision, village president Suzanne Branding announced that restaurant owner Dan Beelow voluntarily withdrew his original plan to offer live entertainment outdoors.
Beelow also amended his original plan to request the outdoor area be open one hour later than proposed. It will be open until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday.
Beelow later said that once the outdoor seating area is built, he may reconsider outdoor entertainment and would approach the board for a special use permit. He said he plans to offer indoor live entertainment.
The outdoor dining proposal was soundly criticized at a recent public hearing as neighbors raised concerns about noise. Many of those residents reiterated those concerns Monday.
Kurt Schafer of Lake Zurich said he can see the restaurant from his yard and is concerned how it will affect his family.
“The noise that would be generated and would be audible in my house is a concern to me,” he said.
Based on what was presented to the zoning board, Deer Park resident Marlene Smetana said Beelow has not proven the outdoor space will not negatively affect adjacent property.
“I don’t see any indication or hard evidence that Mr. Beelow has established that there will not be a problem here,” she said. “To the contrary, his comments from the night of the hearings indicate he understands there could very well be problems.”
Lake Zurich resident Mylinda Buto said her concern was Beelow’s plan continues to evolve.
“We really don’t know everything that he is asking for. I don’t know if it will be open to his discretion or if he develops new ideas, they will come under his special use permit. I’d like to know exactly what we are getting into,” she said.
While some residents did not oppose the plans, they agreed the board should do more before approving the permit to protect neighbors.
“It needs to be done properly at the onset with noise control concerns in mind,” Smetana said. “That will be good for everyone. the village, the residents and Mr. Beelow.”