St. John BZA backs recommendation to allow outdoor seating at 10081 Wicker Avenue

The Town of St. John Board of Zoning Appeals on March 5 voted to send a favorable recommendation to the Town Council for a use variance to allow outdoor seating at approximately 10081 Wicker Avenue.

Applicant Sophia Panagakis asked the board for the variance for the property she identified during the meeting. Staff advised that, if the BZA recommends approval, bollards should be installed around any outdoor seating at a spacing of about 6 feet on center for safety.

Panagakis told the board she was seeking outdoor dining for the site, which the record links to an Arcadia Center location north of a property transcribed as ALSIP. Staff explained that Town zoning regulations require applicants seeking outdoor dining to request a use variance through the BZA and then the Town Council. There was no public comment at the hearing.

A board member moved to recommend approval; the motion included findings that the approval would not be injurious to public health, safety, morals, comfort or general welfare, would not substantially affect adjacent property values in an adverse manner, and that strict application of the zoning ordinance would create unnecessary hardship for the property. The BZA vote was recorded as 4–0 in favor. The BZA recommendation will be forwarded to the Town Council for final action.

Staff and board discussion referenced the recent sign variance and a prior special-exception approval for a hair salon at the same center. The board did not place additional conditions beyond the staff recommendation for bollards.