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*Concur with the Zoning Board of Appeals and Adopt the Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit to Operate a Specialty Food Service at 7 Lake Street
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Introduction
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The Petitioner, Greg Sorg (Sorg Speed Inc.), seeks Village approval of a special use permit to operate a Specialty Food Service (coffee roastery) establishment at 7 Lake Street in the NC - Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District.
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Recommended Action
Adopt the Ordinance. This is a companion item to ORD-26-117.
Prior Board Action
There is no prior Board action associated with this item.
Background
The Petitioner plans to use the existing drive-through configuration and modify the interior space to operate a coffee roastery business with a drive-through component. The roastery would be located to the rear of the building along North Boulevard, with restrooms in front of it and a public-facing coffee shop in the interior space along Lake Street. The coffee roastery business is classified as “Specialty Food Service” in the Zoning Ordinance, and this use requires special use approval in the NC Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District, per Table 8-1 of the Ordinance. Specialty Food Service is defined as follows in Article 2 of the Zoning Ordinance:
Specialty Food Service. A business that specializes in the production and/or sale of specialty food products, such as a bakery, meat market, coffee roasters, catering business, or fishmonger, and may offer areas for accessory retail sales of or restaurants that serve the products processed on-site. Specialty food service also includes preparation, processing, canning or packaging of food products where all processing is completely enclosed and there are no outside impacts.
Uses with drive-through components require special use approval in the NC Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District, and specialty food services uses also require special use approval. Thus, the Applicant is applying for two concurrent special use permits: one for Specialty Food Service and one for a Drive-Through. See companion item ORD-26-117.
On February 9, 2026, the Project Review Team (PRT) reviewed the proposal. The PRT consists of representatives from various departments and divisions within the Village government.
Timing Considerations
The Village Board must act on this application within 60 days of receipt of the Plan Commission recommendation. If the Village Board does not act upon the application within 60 days of receipt, the application is deemed denied.
Financial Impact
The cost of legal notice of $210 from the Planning & Urban Design account 1001.46202.101.550652.
Operations Impact
Approximately ten (10) hours of staff time have been put toward this item. Managing special use permit applications is a standard operating function of the Planning & Urban Design Division within the Development Services Department.
DEI Impact
There is no DEI impact associated with this item.
Community Input
The Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on March 4, 2026. No one showed up in opposition to the Petition. The Zoning Board of Appeals finds that allowing the operation of the coffee roastery as a special use permit is consistent with the Village’s Comprehensive Plan and is consistent with the spirit and intent of the Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Board of Appeals recommends to the Village President and Board of Trustees that the special use be approved by a 7-0 vote.
The Findings of Fact report is attached to this agenda item. The video of the public hearing can be seen by clicking the following link: <https://www.oak-park.us/your-government/citizen-commissions/commission-tv>.
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the Ordinance approving the special use permit to operate a coffee roastery.
Advantages:
• Approving the special use permit would allow the use of a vacant storefront building.
• Coffee roasteries provide freshly roasted, high-quality, specialty coffee to customers.
Disadvantages:
• Roasters emit smoke and odors, requiring specific ventilation and filtering systems.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can elect to deny the special use permit to operate a coffee roastery.
Advantages:
• Allows the building to be available for a by-right use or more pedestrian use.
Disadvantages:
• This action would not allow for the reuse of a vacant building, and the potential business owner would not be able to operate their current proposed plan.
Alternative 2:
The Board could remand the Application back to the Plan Commission.
Advantages:
• This action would trigger more review and information from the Applicant, staff, and the public.
Disadvantages:
• This action would result in delays for the proposed owner and operator of the coffee roastery.
Anticipated Future Actions
There are no anticipated future actions in relation to this item.
Prepared By: Mike Bruce, Planning & Urban Design Manager/Village Planner
Reviewed By: Craig Failor, Director of Development Services Department]
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance
2. Findings of Facts
3. Application
4. Staff Report