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Will County committee approves video-gaming bar special use in Frankfort Township over township objection
Summary
The Will County Land Use and Development Committee voted to advance a special-use permit allowing a video-gaming bar at 7663 W. Saint Francis Road in Frankfort Township despite township objections over residential proximity and late-night hours. Staff and the planning commission recommended approval with conditions.
The Will County Land Use and Development Committee voted to recommend approval of a special-use permit for a video-gaming bar at 7663 West Saint Francis Road in Frankfort Township, advancing the application to the full board.
Margie, planning staff, told the committee the owner (Dipkritz LLC) and tenant (Shankara Inc.) plan a video-gaming bar with six gaming terminals, liquor service and operating hours of 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday–Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday–Saturday. Staff and the planning and zoning commission recommended approval with three conditions tied to state and county liquor and gaming regulations and required remodeling to meet current fire codes.
Frankfort Township formally objected to the proposal, raising concerns that the use sits next to a residential neighborhood and saying the area was already seeing a surge of new liquor-license applications since the county lifted a prior prohibition on video gaming. Several residents who spoke at the hearing echoed traffic and community character concerns, and emphasized that once zoning or a use changes it can be difficult to reverse.
Christian James, the applicant’s agent, responded that the planned operation is a small bar that will serve beer and wine with a three-drink limit and is not intended to be a rowdy late-night establishment: “The plan is just to serve beer and wine, with, like, a 3 drink limit. There’s 6 VGTs. It’s a small bar area. The intention is not for this to be like a rowdy kind of bar.”
Committee members pressed staff about whether the board could deny a permit solely on the basis of “too many” similar establishments. County counsel advised the committee that decisions must be based on specific zoning criteria; absent a criteria-based reason, denials could be legally vulnerable. The committee then took a roll call vote; the motion carried by a 3–2 tally, and members directed that the item proceed to the full county board for final action.
The next step is the Will County Board meeting, where the full board will consider the committee’s recommendation and any remaining conditions.
