Mixing books and booze in Tremont
by Chuck Hoven

(Plain Press, June 2008) The Board of Zoning Appeals notice for Betley Books at 1023 Kenilworth Avenue, says the owner “appeals to expand a retail book store by adding an outdoor patio with food and beverage services and live entertainment.”

The bookstore, also known as Visible Voice Books, is located in a Local Retail Business District, which does not allow food services with entertainment, thus the bookstore is seeking a variance for the expansion.

The appeal notice also notes the lack of parking and says 12 additional parking spaces would be required. The notice notes that under city zoning law, food service with entertainment is first allowed in areas zoned as General Retail Districts, and then there is a requirement that such establishments be within 500 feet of a residential neighborhood.

What the notice doesn’t say is that Visible Voice Books is transferring a liquor license to the Kenilworth location that would allow the sale of beer, wine and liquor. The notice also does not note the proximity of the site to three churches, four schools, a playground, and a day care center.

The March issue of Tremont West Development Corporation’s newsletter, Inside Tremont, notes that the Auburn Block Club discussed Visible Voice Bookstore’s request “for a permit to sell wine at the bookstore and to expand use of the outdoor patio.” It mentions residents agreeing to support the appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals with the following conditions; “1) acoustic music only on the patio 2) stop serving at 10 p.m. and 3) security cameras be installed including a view of the patio and surrounding area.”

Henry Senyak, who serves on the church council of Our Lady of Mercy Church, which abuts the bookstore property on the rear, believes the institutions in the neighborhood should be fully aware as to what is planned for the site before the June 2nd 9:30 a.m. Board of Zoning Appeals hearing. Senyak notes the beer, wine and liquor licenses, request for entertainment at the site and the prevalence of institutions serving children as reasons to call for more public airing of the plans for bookstore and the possible long term consequences of having a potential night club at that site. He said Councilman Joe Cimperman’s assistant promised to arrange a meeting for institutions within 500 feet of the bookstore, but the meeting was never called.

Tremont resident Jim Noga, says he missed the Auburn Block Club meeting about the expansion of the bookstore. He said he wanted to attend because he was concerned about creating an additional parking problem in the neighborhood. He said years ago the goal was to create a “nice neighborhood people could live in.” He doesn’t believe that adding more restaurants and bars in residential areas will help. He feels while business owners may benefit from more restaurants and bars, residents don’t necessarily benefit from additional businesses.

Noga feels there was inadequate planning for parking when businesses expanded along Professor Avenue. He says W. 14th Street is the only business strip in the neighborhood that is able to provide adequate parking. He doesn’t believe the Board of Zoning Appeals would approve a variance to expand the bookstore for the proposed use because it is within 500 feet of churches, schools and the playground.

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