Planning board recommends denial of gaming‑cafe conditional use at 604 N. Entrance after neighbor concerns

The Kankakee Planning Board voted on Aug. 17 to recommend denying a conditional use permit for a gaming café proposed at 604 North Entrance Avenue. The board’s recommendation follows public testimony from adjacent property owners who raised concerns about liquor service, pedestrian activity and refuse near neighboring residences and a child‑heavy apartment complex across the street.

Applicant representatives said the proposed business would operate a small licensed gaming café with a limited number of gaming machines, staff oversight and a controlled liquor service model that restricts the amount of alcohol a customer can consume during gaming. Applicant reported experience in operating similar venues and said the business could operate without a liquor license if necessary; staff confirmed one available class‑B gaming liquor license remains citywide and the council’s licensing office would handle liquor permitting.

Neighbors including Matthew Hemenover and Justin Gosselin, who operate nearby businesses and manage adjacent apartment properties, said they regularly pick up bottles and cans and worried that adding alcohol sales and a gaming destination within 50 feet of active outdoor space and family housing would worsen litter and loitering. Hemenover asked the board to consider the combined operations on the same parcel as the self‑storage site and requested clarity that any conditional use apply only to the specific building address.

Planning staff noted the parcel’s industrial zoning historically allowed a range of commercial uses and that bars and taverns could operate under certain district rules; the planning board, however, expressed concern about the property’s context and neighbors’ testimony. Following discussion, a motion to deny the conditional use passed on a roll call vote. Planning staff said the recommendation will be forwarded to City Council, which will make the final decision.

Why it matters: The proposed business raised questions about how gaming cafes with liquor service interact with nearby residential properties and commercial operations; the board’s recommendation preserves neighbor concerns for City Council consideration.

Next steps: The item will be placed on a City Council agenda with the Planning Board’s recommendation to deny; council may accept or reject the recommendation.