Committee Recommends Maxwell Style Grill for Howard Street

The city of Evanston’s Design and Project Review Committee has recommended the Zoning Board of Appeals approve project to bring a Maxwell Style Grill restaurant to the site of the former Dairy Queen at 999 Howard Street.

Related: Maxwell Style Grill Could Replace Dairy Queen on Howard Street

Miroslov Momirovic, president of Maxwell Style Grill and Attorney Philip Novak presented their application for a special use permit to the DPRC that outlined many of the specifics behind the plan to bring business back to the area just west of Ridge Avenue on the city’s southernmost street.

If approved, the Grill will be open everyday from 7 a.m. to midnight and be painted red and yellow, to represent ketchup and mustard.

The building’s plumbing allows for limited seating, so the inside standing counter will be the only place to eat inside. There will also be no neighborhood delivery service.

The business will be responsible for exterior improvements, including power washing and building repairs and add three security lights to the property.

A seal coating will be put on an improved parking lot with 32 spaces and concrete islands with landscaping.

The committee recommended to approve the request unanimously, although added conditions that the applicant apply additional landscape to the rear of the building and consider adding a “No Left Turn” sign to the exit lane. The matter will be on the September 1 ZBA agenda.

The project is also supported by Evanston 8th Ward Ald. Ann Rainey, who cited “foot traffic and summer activity” as reasons the ZBA should approve the plan.