Planning commission recommends denial of conditional use permit for Souls Point banquet facility

Planning Director Mister DeHaan told the City Council work session the Planning Commission voted 6–1 to recommend denial of a conditional use permit for a proposed banquet facility at 3411 Souls Point Road. The applicant, represented in the commission materials by Michael Hearn, proposed a rental-only banquet facility with no alcohol or live entertainment and an overall occupancy limit of 25.
The proposal would operate 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 10 a.m.–midnight Friday–Sunday. DeHaan said the occupancy limit stems from the site having only a single restroom and that the architect’s plans omitted an occupant load for a front “Assembly Area 1,” with all 25 seats shown in the rear of the building. "The occupancy of the space is limited and the applicant has not identified the use of all spaces," DeHaan said, summarizing concerns that were cited in an opposition email from the Greenwood Elmhurst Northview Heights Civic League.
The nut graf: The planning commission’s recommendation does not itself change zoning or approve the use; it is a recommendation that will inform a future council meeting decision. Council members will receive the commission’s findings and the community opposition letter as they consider whether to accept or override the recommendation.
In discussion, commissioners and civic-league comments focused on the limited facilities, the absence of assigned occupant loads for all interior areas, and insufficient clarity in the applicant’s business plan and operations. The Planning Commission’s 6–1 vote reflects those concerns, according to DeHaan’s briefing.
The council did not take a final vote on the conditional use permit during the work session; the commission’s recommendation and public comments will be part of the record when the council considers the item on its regular docket.