Lake County Gazette

At the March 20 meeting of the Gurnee Village Board, the board approved an amendment to the city code to create a new classification of liquor license regarding the sale of beer and wine at gas stations.

Mayor Thomas Hood said that the discussion was solely about the ordinance for the March meeting, and there have not been applications of licenses at this time. The Class 16 liquor licenses allow businesses to sell beer and wine at gas stations if they have a convenience store and commercial kitchen. The ordinance discussed at the meeting didn’t allow for licenses to be issued or changed, but rather to only allow for future use.

“I think – just as a reminder ... from my perspective as the liquor commissioner – that a liquor license is a privilege,” said Hood. “It’s not a right. It's something that we as a village board would decide whether or not it's granted based on each individual case. It's not something that if this particular classification is granted or created tonight, that we are then locked into doing, granting these licenses left and right. In fact, the additions of the commercial kitchen and some other things were added just to make sure we weren't put in that situation in part. And also from the village's perspective of tying beer and wine to the sale of food has been something we've done in the past.”

The proposed amendment was previously discussed at the Jan. 30 Committee of the Whole Meeting. The board reviewed 14 community surveys and gained police department input. The board also gathered feedback from elected officials.

The amendment requires gas stations to be larger than 4,000 square feet and have a commercial-level kitchen. This means a business cannot get away with just having a hot dog roller or a microwave. It must have a spot for commercial preparation, production and cooking of food, and have a commercial cooking appliance, along with a triple compartment sink or commercial dishwasher.

Only two stations in the Gurnee area currently qualify, which are the BP at Washington and Hunt Club, and the Speedway at Grand and Dilleys. There may be one other station eligible in the future, as well, which is Casey’s at Hunt Club and Gages.

Sales can be made between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. for beer and wine in large quantities, and not single consumption. The display space will be limited for the license. The council voted in the meeting to lessen the 300 foot square maximum cooler to 275 square feet. An ID must be scanned for purchase, regardless of age or how old the customer appears. 

There must also be a “no one under 21” sign posted and no exterior windows for the walk-in cooler. There would be one interior window for the clerk to be able to monitor. For shelf displays, six doors not exceeding 20 lineal feet will be allowed and always locked. These are the most restrictive regulations of any of the communities surveyed.

Moore said that this has generated a lot of interest, and from his perspective trying to come up with a development tool doesn’t grant a license to anyone. The village board could choose to not use it ever or to use as found appropriate. The restrictions placed on this license, he said, is to be responsive to staff and the trustees, and the residential concerns.

He added that juveniles will not have access to the coolers, as there will be license scanners in place. 

Moore said there has been positive and negative feedback, with Wentworth residents 100% negative and others that don’t care or are positive. He said it has a been an “interesting” and “tough” process.

Council members discussed the ordinance and the amendment, which they understood to be a big deal for many residents. They were interested in the possible development option that this creates for businesses and the economy in the community. Some council members were against the proposal and did not see a need for any change, feeling the opinion of their residents was that they were against it. The police department felt confident in the level of security built into the ordinance and the ability to enforce it. 

“I know in town certainly very few of these restrictions are in existence for other beer and wine distributors,” Moore said. “However, we are just trying to be mindful of what some of the commentary was and knowing that’s a change for us wanting to place restrictions on here that we can all feel comfortable with best (as) we could. And there’s just some people that just won’t feel comfortable with it all and I understand that. We live in a Democratic society and we get an opportunity to have our vote and that’s what you have as a village board, people from different backgrounds that have the ability to do that.”