Restaurants & Bars
Debate Over Elmhurst Brewery's Request For Free Space
An alderman suggested the city charge the brewery for using the city's land. Others disagreed.
ELMHURST, IL – After a debate, the Elmhurst City Council on Monday approved a request that would allow a yet-to-open brewery to expand outdoor dining.
Phase Three Brewing, 494 S. Spring Road, asked for the use of 400 square feet at the corner of the rear city parking lot for an enclosure to house its trash and grease receptacles.
According to the city, this would allow the brewery to have eight more tables for outdoor dining, increasing the brewery's income and thus the city's sales tax revenue.
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With the tax income as a justification, the brewery requested to use the space for free. Phase Three had hoped to include neighboring Doc's Victory Pub for the corner space, but officials said that did not work out.
During a discussion, Alderman Michael Bram said he hoped to frequently visit Phase Three when it opens. But he said all city land has value and suggested the city charge for its use.
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He also said he opposed fast-tracking the request, which the council calls "suspending the rules."
Such a process, Bram said, should be used for urgent city issues such as with the wastewater treatment plant.
"This suspension of rules, in my opinion, is for the benefit of a business, not for city government," he said.
Alderwoman Marti Deuter said the city doesn't need the land in question because the corner of the lot is unused. It is where parking spaces come together, which is akin to the need for a lazy Susan in a kitchen, she said.
As for fast-tracking, Deuter said the business needed a quick process because it is opening soon and has contractors on-site finishing construction.
Alderman Jacob Hill agreed with Bram that all city land has value whether it's usable or not. Others expressed support for the request.
The council voted 13-1 to approve Phase Three's request, with Bram as the lone dissenter.
Phase Three has not answered Patch's inquiries over the last couple of weeks about when it plans to open.
Earlier in the summer, the brewery told Patch it expected to open in August.
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