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Oak Park planning commission recommends approval for reservation-only 'speakeasy' tasting room on West 11 Mile
Summary
The Oak Park Planning Commission voted unanimously among members present to recommend approval of a site plan for a reservation-only "speakeasy" off-site tasting room at 14441 West 11 Mile, endorsing staff's recommendation and noting the project's potential to draw visitors to the Water Tower social district.
A majority of the Oak Park Planning Commission on June 15 recommended approval of a site plan for a reservation-only tasting room proposed at 14441 West 11 Mile.
The applicants, who identified themselves as Sean Coltiaak and Jeremy Lewis, described the project as an 1,800-square-foot off-site tasting room in a roughly 4,100-square-foot building within the Water Tower social district. The business would operate by reservation, limit visits to about 90 minutes, cap occupancy at roughly 40 to 50 people, and offer a cocktail-forward menu with a small selection of beer and wine. "We're going to be very reservation-only," Coltiaak said, adding that the reservation limits help move traffic through the district.
Staff told the commission the proposal meets the MX1 district's conditional-use standards for on-premises alcoholic beverage sales under section 544B and recommended approval of the site plan subject to nine conditions listed in the staff report. The applicants said production of some spirits and fermented beverages would be small-scale and produced on site.
Commission discussion focused on operations and public safety: commissioners asked how the 90-minute reservations would be enforced (applicants said servers would notify guests as time neared expiration and a lounge area would accommodate finishing a drink), how patrons would access the venue (reservation and coded-entry procedures described), and the mix of beverages (the applicants said distilled spirits would be the principal offering). Mayor and several commissioners characterized the concept as a unique draw for the district.
A motion to recommend approval was made and seconded; a roll-call vote recorded "yes" from Vice Chairperson Brown, Commissioner Eiselman, Commissioner Mlen, Commissioner Tatch, Commissioner Tungate and Commissioner Walters Gil. The recommendation passed unanimously among members present.
The commission's recommendation endorses staff findings; the project remains subject to the nine conditions identified in the staff report.
