New Law May Hamper Wild Hare's Third License Application

The owners of a longstanding North Side club have filed yet another application that would allow them to host reggae concerts at their new Lincoln Park location and an official says this time, a recent law change will prevent residents from filing a petition against it.

The Wild Hare, which opened last August at 2610 N. Halsted in Lincoln Park, hasn't been able to hold the concerts it was known for in its former Wrigleyville location because of its failure to acquire a public place of amusement license. The business has twice been denied. Its most recent request is dated March 29. 

" … The License Committee of City Council has been considering changes to the PPA application process," 43rd Ward Ald. Michele Smith said in an April 17 letter to neighbors. "I am happy to report that this new legislation, which passed City Council on April 10, anticipates the problem of successive applications."

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Under the new law—retroactively effective to March 13—the city evaluation and community input process for the license will be similar to that of a liquor license application. However, the petition requirement is eliminated. 

"The community can now oppose a proposed PPA without having to suffer through the arduous process of gathering enough petitions to force a hearing," Smith said.

Instead, residents can file written objections within 30 days. 

"With community input, the Commissioner of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection can deny an application based on written objections of registered voters within 250 feet of the premises," Smith said, in the letter. "Like the liquor license, a plan of operation can be required of a PPA applicant."

Wild Hare's owners have said being able to host concerts is their bread and butter. 

They stress they're willing to clean up after patrons and provide parking options to alleviate neighbors' stress. They've also had an expert testify on their behalf, saying the club wouldn't have a significant traffic impact on its stretch of Halsted Street.

But more than 50 percent of voters living in the immediate vicinity of Wild Hare have repeatedly petitioned for the license's denial and gone on to express frustrations at public hearings.

The new law Smith references also provides protection against successive applications—a concept already part of the liquor license process. 

"The new law states that the (commissioner) must deny a PPA application if she finds that within two years of the date of the application, a PPA application for a substantially similar business was denied because of its possible impact on the surrounding area. This was the ruling in the Wild Hare case."

Smith says the new law also allows the commissioner to reconsider a denial if an applicant can provide clear and convincing evidence that the license will not negatively impact a surrounding community. 

"I have already firmly expressed my opinion to the city that this most recent application should be given no further consideration since the circumstances leading to the denial of the first application are the same today as they were when the city denied (the) second application," Smith said. 

She encouraged residents sharing her opinion to write letters to the commissioner. If the application goes to a hearing, volunteers will be needed to participate, she said.

Looking for more background?

• Would You Deny Wild Hare? (POLL)

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