Bettendorf Castle owners scrap plans for tours, events

The owners of Bettendorf Castle in Fox River Grove on Tuesday withdrew their controversial proposal to host tours and events, but still want to find a way to open the castle to the public.

The castle at 418 Concord Ave. was built between 1931 and 1967.

The issue was scheduled to be discussed by the village board on Thursday, but four board members who serve on the public health and safety committee had already voted down the proposal on March 1.

“We felt that there were a lot of concerns about some specifics in the application, and we wanted to take the time to address those properly before moving forward,” said David Curfman, attorney for castle owners Michael and Judy Strohl.

Nearly 30 residents signed a petition last month against the Strohls’ zoning application, which included a request to create a special use permit to allow the Strohls to host up to 26 events — such as weddings, bar mitzvahs, graduations and more — each year at the castle. The plan included up to 95 valet-only on-site parking spaces, plus additional parking serviced by shuttle buses from other locations in the village.

Neighbors said they were concerned about an increase in traffic and noise and lack of adequate parking.

“We heard what everyone said at the hearings, and we took it to heart. We want to find a way to make everyone happy,” Curfman said, declining to give specifics.

Kevin Long, who lives across the street from the castle, said he was glad the Strohls withdrew their application, but won’t support any future plan to open Bettendorf Castle to the public, no matter how accommodating of neighbors’ concerns.

“I don’t want tour buses on my street,” he said. “We’ve been here over 15 years. I bought the house with the intention of adding on and selling it, but I fell in love with neighborhood ... I want it to say a neighborhood. I don’t want a business in my neighborhood.”

Village President Robert Nunamaker said he doesn’t believe a new village board after the April 5 elections is likely to approve of the plan, “unless there is a proposal that is significantly different.”