The Village of Palatine’s Police Policy and Code Services Committee and later the full Village Council voted down a petition to permit a banquet facility at 1185 East Dundee Road in the Park Place shopping center.

The committee considered a motion to approve the special use during its meeting; following testimony from the applicant and the property owner, the committee’s motion failed and the item was reported out to the council as having come from committee “with a 5–0 vote against.” At the council meeting, a motion to approve the special use failed on roll call, leaving the request denied.

The petitioners — operator Carmelo Martinez and landlord Corey Bruce — told the committee the proposed space would be rented primarily to private groups; they said alcohol would not be permitted, the operator would hire an event manager and dedicated security staff, and the site would be monitored with cameras. Martinez said the business model is “I rent only the space” and that he tells customers “you cannot bring the alcohol,” adding that he informed tenants that alcohol would lead to complaints and potential closure. Bruce, the property owner, said the space would be used for private parties such as birthdays and graduations and that the use could help co-tenants and reduce plaza vacancy.

Staff and several council members said the center’s plan raised enforcement and public-safety questions. A staff planner noted the applicant initially requested operating hours to 2 a.m. but amended that to 8 a.m.–11 p.m., and that the zoning ordinance’s banquet use typically assumes food service and operator control — neither of which would occur under the petitioners’ model. The planner also said staff recommended denial, while the Palatine Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval by a 6–1 vote.

Council members expressed concern about the village’s ability to monitor events where food or paid admission could be brought in by outside vendors or where members of the public might attend. “What you’re renting to is somebody who’s gonna use that space from whatever time to whatever time... The only parameters in your petition ... is that you wouldn’t allow alcohol,” a council member said, adding that other operational limits were not specified in the petition. Questions raised included how the village would police off-site vendors, admissions, and unpermitted alcohol if guests brought it.

Martinez told the committee he planned modest pricing to keep the space affordable; he discussed an initial investment estimate of about $50,000 and said he hoped eventually to grow revenue. The landlord said the center is receiving new investment, including a large grocery tenant and facade work, and he argued the banquet use could support co-tenants.

The committee voted the item down; the council later took a roll-call vote and rejected the motion to approve. No amendments or alternate conditions were adopted. The petition remains denied.

The discussion occurred during the Police Policy and Code Services Committee meeting and was reported to the council. Future applications or revised petitions would require a new filing and review under the village’s zoning process.