This Thursday November 8th at 7:30pm, there will be a public hearing for Curtain Up Classroom to request a Special Use Permit to keep our theater at ground level!!! The Village ordains that Music and Dance schools should be below ground for whatever reasons. We are neither music nor dance, but a premier acting studio which produces performances for both children and adults, and acting classes for all ages (http://curtainupclassroom.org/).

In keeping with the spirit of the rejuvenation of downtown Glen Ellyn, Curtain Up Classroom likes to think we add to the atmosphere of what the residents of Glen Ellyn are looking for when strolling down Crescent Boulevard. Many passers by stop to watch the action going on inside! Theater adds another dimension to the other retailers that we join.

Please join Curtain Up Classroom on Thursday, November 8th at 7:30 at the Glenn Ellyn Civic Center on Duane Street as we fight for our right to remain at ground level!

More details:

Public Hearing – Curtain Up Classroom – 548 Crescent Boulevard. Public hearing with discussion, consideration and recommendation regarding a request for approval of a Special Use Permit to allow a Music and Dance School on the ground floor of 548 Crescent Boulevard. The subject property is located on the north side of Crescent Boulevard between Main Street and Forest Avenue in the C5A Central Business District, Central Retail Core.

If you would like to show your support for Curtain Up Classroom, please try and make the meeting to voice your support. Curtain Up Classroom is located next to Java Juice, which is next to the Theater. They moved there without realizing that they need a special use permit in order to operate out of that space.

If you cannot make that meeting, watch for them to be on the agenda at a future Village Board meeting which is the next step before obtaining a special use permit.

Regards,

xxxxx xxxxxxxx

Go Downtown!

I briefly searched the village code on line and didn't see anything about music/dance establishments. Do you mind providing a code reference that they are seeking to enforce??

Any idea why the code would exist in the first place? Is it noise? Is it feet stomping on the ceiling above another business? Is it to keep street level spaces available for retail and service providers?

And I think the title of the post is a bit harsh. Isn't there a theater a few doors down??

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:

Regards,

xxxxx xxxxxxxx

Go Downtown!

Clam, Can this be like a game of hangman?

I start by guessing D

quote:

Originally posted by middlein87:
I briefly searched the village code on line and didn't see anything about music/dance establishments. Do you mind providing a code reference that they are seeking to enforce??

Any idea why the code would exist in the first place? Is it noise? Is it feet stomping on the ceiling above another business? Is it to keep street level spaces available for retail and service providers?

And I think the title of the post is a bit harsh. Isn't there a theater a few doors down??

Without looking, my guess is that a ground floor business in the CBD has to generate sales tax. I could, of course, be dead wrong.

Maybe it dates back to the burlesque days.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Clamato,

I think we should be happy if a ground floor, street level location generates a business period, at this point.

Fish we were thinking the same thing about issue that a ground floor business in the CBD has to generate sales tax and I too could not find anything in the Glenn Ellyn code about the Music and Dance ordinance. I was trying to figure out how one brings up the tax thing during the hearing. But I guess they have to come right out and tell us that's the reason why Music and Dance cannot be at the ground level.

And sorry if title seems harsh,,, yes movie theater down the block, just trying to get attention.

I'm looking for you, but while looking I found this:

6-2-6.2: LODGING ACCOMMODATIONS:

(C) Occupancy By Persons Of Opposite Sex: No proprietor, manager or person in charge of such hotel, lodging house, rooming house or place where transients are accommodated, shall rent or assign rooms for joint private occupancy by persons of the opposite sex, unless such persons shall be registered as husband and wife or as a parent and minor child.

Tell me the motel over by Oberweis is abiding by village code. Quickies are probably 90% of its buisness.

Not exactly, but getting closer.

3-2-4: BUILDING:

(A) It shall be unlawful to conduct or hold any public performance or theatrical in any building or premises which does not comply with the requirements of the building code.

(B) It shall be unlawful to conduct or hold any performance or exhibition in any place not equipped with adequate exits which are free and unobstructed. (M.C. 1965, Sec. 4.04)

quote:

Originally posted by bitterboy:
I'm looking for you, but while looking I found this:

6-2-6.2: LODGING ACCOMMODATIONS:

(C) Occupancy By Persons Of Opposite Sex: No proprietor, manager or person in charge of such hotel, lodging house, rooming house or place where transients are accommodated, shall rent or assign rooms for joint private occupancy by persons of the opposite sex, unless such persons shall be registered as husband and wife or as a parent and minor child.

Tell me the motel over by Oberweis is abiding by village code. Quickies are probably 90% of its buisness.

Something tells me that law does not pass constitutional muster.

quote:

Originally posted by jombl:
Isn't there still a dance place above the arcade on S. Main? It was the place where "fortnight" was held.

Yeah, isn't it Dance Dance Dance? Been there for years

It's crazy that the village would try to prohibit this business. I have a friend that participates in the acting events there who comes in from Aurora. I would venture to guess that many of the other businesses in town do not draw patrons from other areas like this one does. These folks are coming to Glen Ellyn to act, then hitting the restaurants for dinner, going for coffee, maybe even strolling around the other shops.

In this time where we are having trouble getting any business at all in the CBD, they should not be prohibiting a very viable one. What are they thinking? If there is some arcane code on the books (like the motel one above), then they should be smart enough to look at abolishing it.

I also don't think the subject line is harsh at all - the village IS trying to prohibit Curtains Up from operating.

I recall accompanying my co-wife Ashlee and her precocious daughter to a dance class at a school on the ground level of the building that Paul Svigos owns...near Busy Bee, I believe. Nonetheless, the ground floor thing doesn't sound like it is the issue here.

The title is absolutely misleading.

The store is going in for a Special Use Permit as they may or may not, as currently used, conform to a permitted use under the Zoning Code....nothing more....nothing less.

As of now, the Village has done nothing to prohibit Curtains Up from operating. All that they ask is for the business to comply with the Code and seek a Special Use Permit.

Let's at least be a little fair to the Village and tell the whole story. For clarification, check the Village website.

ACQ, do you know the reason why this ordinance exists? What its purpose is? Also, when does it date back to?

BTW, isn't the time to pee on the village after they deny you request for a Special Use Permit? Or am I wrong? If it were me...I'd play nice-nice with local government and not throw rocks at the beehive. They deny my permit...then I'm on the internet saying bad things about the village...and Vicky Hase.

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:
ACQ, do you know the reason why this ordinance exists? What its purpose is? Also, when does it date back to?

To be candid, I don't know how long it has been in effect. However, it is my undertanding that the comprehensive plan suggests that ground level stores in the central business district should be for pedestrian-oriented service uses and should be primarily retail operations so as to promote foot traffic in the central business district. Those stores on the ground level which are not retail and do promote a pedestrian shopping experience, must apply for a special use permit.

It may be important to note that Curtain Up hearing is not unique. Curves and the Yoga Place recently received Special Use Permits from the village. In most cases, it seems the business owner applies for such a permit before starting operation so there is no implication of asking for forgiveness rather than permission. Curtain Up's chances of success are probably very good!

Chances were pretty good....until 10:52AM yesterday.

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:
Chances were pretty good....until 10:52AM yesterday.

Ya think diplomacy lost out to confrontation?

Why is it that people with great ideas, like hot dog carts and theater classes feel that the oppressive hand of government is crashing down upon them? What would it have taken to pick up the phone and ask one of people on the planning commission, or one of those geniuses on the EDC, the following question:

"What are the rules I must play by to open a business in Glen Ellyn?"

I don't think it's too much to ask someone who is serving you food, or interacting with your children, to plan something beyond "jump and the net will appear". It's a special use permit. Not a roadblock.