Mokena trustees approve comic book-themed restaurant for downtown district
Officials also honor retiring crossing guard
By Jon DePaolis
MOKENA, Ill. — It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a new comic book-themed restaurant coming soon to downtown Mokena.
The Village of Mokena Board of Trustees voted 5-0 on three separate ordinances Monday, Aug. 24, to approve rezoning, a special use permit and a redevelopment agreement with Ace Group LLC to allow for Zap! Taco to operate the comic-book themed, sit-down restaurant at 19711 Mokena Street. Trustee Joseph Siwinski was not present for any of the votes.
During the discussion, Village Building and Planning Director Matt Ziska said the rezoning was from C-1 traditional commercial to C-4 downtown commercial.
“This zoning classification is actually more appropriate based on the physical characteristics of the lot,” Ziska said. “It also brings the property into greater conformances with the Future Land Use Map shown in our Comprehensive Plan.”
As part of the special use permit, the Village agreed to provide the business: right-of-way encroachments on Mokena Street for a ramp and awning; the ability to have outdoor dining with alcohol sales; and relief from some of the minimum lot size and width requirements.
Meanwhile, the business agreed to not have video gaming terminals, install landscaping and improve the existing structure.
As part of the redevelopment agreement, Ziska said the Village will reimburse the business with a one-time payment of $11,000 from its downtown tax increment financing funds after the business completes the following improvements: adding new Hardie-board siding; gooseneck light fixtures; an ADA-compliant entrance/ramp; metal awning; and a wall sign.
“In our eyes, this is all a win-win, where they are not only enhancing the building at the property but also [serves] as an economic tool for us to try and create more business to the downtown area moving forward,” Ziska said.
Prior to the vote, Ziska detailed the process by which the proposal was reviewed, including: a concept meeting during a Village Board meeting in December 2019; a work session discussion in January; a Planning Commission public hearing in February; a Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee meeting in March; and two more Village Board work session discussions in March and August.
As part of the comments received during these meetings, Ziska said Village staff was asked to conduct a parking analysis. He said that took place in January, which showed that “ample” parking was available along Front Street and at the Metra commuter parking lot during “off-hours.”
No concerns were raised by the trustees or the public during the Aug. 24 discussion.
Earlier in the meeting, the Village Board also issued a proclamation honoring Phyllis Karpola, who is set to retire after serving as a crossing guard for the Village for 34 years.
“Mrs. Karpola’s training, knowledge, experience, and commitment have been essential components of providing quality public services to the residents of the Village of Mokena,” Village Clerk Melissa Martini read from the proclamation. “And Mrs. Karpola has dedicated herself to the safety and well-being of the children of our community, serving well and faithfully in her capacity as crossing guard at the busy intersections near our schools.”
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