Politics & Government

Mongo's Owner Plans to Add Outdoor Dining

The village Planning and Zoning Commission will host a public hearing Tuesday on plans to add at 5,000-square-foot patio to the site.

Romeoville residents may soon have more options when it comes to dining al fresco.

Stavros “Steve” Spandonidis, owner of , has plans to add a 5,000-square-foot outdoor dining area at the bar and grill, 1101 N. Independence Boulevard.

“It’s going to be a great addition,” Spandonidis told village board members Wednesday. “It’s going to improve our business.”

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Spandonidis is asking the village to grant several zoning variances for the property, including allowing the restaurant to host live entertainment on the patio until 1:30 a.m. instead of the established 10 p.m. deadline.

The restaurateur is also seeking permission to install 174 parking spaces that are slightly smaller than the village standard, and asking to eliminate parking lot landscaping required under the existing ordinance.

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Community Development Director Steve Rockwell said planning commissioners have expressed concerns about the proposed 1:30 a.m. quitting time for bands, fearing neighboring property owners will be inconvenienced. There are also concerns about the proposed size of the patio, which he said commissioners deemed “much too large.”

Even so, village officials seemed receptive to the idea of adding outdoor dining to Mongo’s.

“We’re excited to have Mr. Spandonidis continue to reinvest in his site,” Mayor John Noak said.  “I think we’ll be able to work out an arrangement that suits the community.”

“I think it’s a great idea,” agreed trustee Jose Chavez. “I think it’s going to do well there. We just need to fine tune this to get everything up to code.”

The village’s Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on Spandonidis’ concept plan at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Village Hall, 1050 W. Romeo Road.


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