Council OKs special use for gaming machines and small bar space at 717 North State

The Belvidere City Council approved ordinance 761H on second reading May 4, granting a special-use permit for a limited indoor commercial entertainment area with video gaming at 717 North State Street.

City staff described the permit as limited in scope and conditioned to a specific site plan and square footage so the use could not expand into a full bar or entertainment center. "I've seen people blow through them," Alderwoman Gracowski said when discussing compliance with stop signs and general safety, and Alderman Hennessy asked whether a bar at a gas station would worsen impaired-driving risks.

Planner Gina (city staff) told the council the application had many conditions to make requirements clearer for applicants. On the number of gaming machines, she said the applicant had asked for up to five but the permit limits were set by square footage rather than a machine count to reflect what a gaming company could fit into the approved area.

Several council members referenced trends in active video-gaming licenses in the city; Gina said the city limit is 50 licenses and there were roughly 35 active, with some recent declines. The council voted by roll call; two members recorded their votes as opposed, the ordinance passed.

The conditions attached to the special use require compliance with all codes (health, fire, building) spelled out in the council packet and a specific site plan limiting the permitted indoor area. The council did not attach a machine-count cap, relying instead on the conditioned floor area and site-plan restrictions.