East Dundee commission backs live‑music special use for Zambonis at 315 4th Street

The East Dundee Planning, Zoning and Historic Commission on Oct. 2 recommended that the Village Board approve a special‑use permit allowing a restaurant at 315 4th Street to host live entertainment, with conditions intended to limit noise and preserve neighborhood character.

The commission voted unanimously among the four members present to approve findings of fact and to send the recommendation to the Village Board. The proposal comes from Zambonis; Dave Hudson, the bar’s manager, said the business would remain a sports bar but would occasionally host DJs, solo artists and, weather permitting, small bands on the patio and near the garage‑door opening.

The recommendation includes the staff‑proposed conditions in the meeting packet and an explicit limitation permitting live entertainment on Thursday, Friday and Saturday only, subject to a 12‑month administrative review of operations. Commissioners relied on existing village code and the village noise ordinance as baseline requirements; staff and commissioners said any extension past the ordinary noise limits would require separate approval and would be subject to police discretion if complaints arise.

Hudson told the commission he expected live music to be infrequent: “We’re not a venue,” he said, describing Zambonis as primarily a sports bar and estimating live performances at roughly once a week or as few as twice a month. He outlined typical hours for outdoor performances as early evening (about 6–9 p.m. or 7–10 p.m.) and said DJs or solo artists inside could run later, with inside performances potentially going until midnight on occasion.

Commission members asked about speaker placement, neighbor outreach and building‑safety review. Commissioners and staff noted the proposed speaker orientation toward Barrington Avenue and the presence of fences and other structures between the patio and nearby residences; Hudson said he planned to speak directly with the adjacent homeowner. The commission also emphasized that the property must meet all fire and building codes and that the building inspector and fire marshal will review any plans or changes affecting occupancy.

In deliberations, commissioners concluded the use would be consistent with downtown goals to support locally owned businesses and encourage visitor activity, and that it was unlikely to substantially diminish the use and enjoyment of neighboring properties given the site’s configuration and nearby commercial activity. The motion to recommend approval included an administrative follow‑up: the applicant must check in with staff 12 months after issuance so the village can review how operations have impacted the neighborhood and whether any adjustments are needed.

The matter now moves to the Village Board, which will consider the commission’s recommendation and the staff conditions. If the Village Board approves the special use, Zambonis will be required to comply with the village code, conditions in the packet and the specific limitations the commission added.