Massage Parlor, Cop HQ, Brewery On Tap For Oswego Village Meeting

OSWEGO, IL — On the docket is a liquor license for Oswego Brewing Company, slated to open later this year, and changes with the police headquarters. Also making its way through the village approval process is an ordinance that could change the way massage parlors are licensed. For now, it's still being written. It comes as a response to concerns that follow recent crackdowns and prostitution charges in the area.

The village board will meet Tuesday Jan. 16 during its regular meeting at 7 p.m. at Oswego Village Hall at 100 Parkers Mill. Here are some highlights.

OSWEGO BREWING COMPANY: The brewery and tap room, which is slated to open this year, is requesting a Class N liquor license along with a waiver for a second read to expedite the approval process. The board will also consider granting a special use permit for the brewery at 61 Main St. in order to produce, bottle and distribute the craft beer. Part of the former fire station will house the taproom, which will face the alley and rear parking lot, according to village documents.

Employees will include a full-time head brewer and tap room manager, three or four part-time bartenders, an assistant brewer and managers. Proposed hours of operation will be Tuesday thru Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. and Sunday, open at 11 a.m. 'til 8 p.m.

RIGHT-OF-WAY: The board will vote whether to authorize an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation. Part of that agreement is to prohibit large trucks from utilizing a part of Adams Street— between Washington Street and Jackson Street— to prevent wide turns. A right-of-way near the Reserve at Hudson Crossing site plan will also be included in the discussion.

NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS: The Village will decide whether to approve a change with the structural steel contract for the construction of the new police headquarters. A town memo said the current communication tower at the existing station isn't tall enough to meet its needs, so the town is purchasing and installing a new one, as well as moving over the old ones. The village is taking it to a vote for approval.

The board will also vote on the approval of a $100,000 transfer from operations related to the Drug Enforcement Administration to go toward the cost of the task force space in the new police headquarters.

MASSAGE PARLOR ORDINANCE: A community discussion has been taking place between law enforcement, business owners, residents and elected officials about a possible ordinance for massage parlors.

Representatives from the Oswego Police Department will present those findings to the committee of the whole (which meets at 6 p.m., an hour before the general meeting). They'll be providing more direction for the final draft of a proposed ordinance as well as zoning considerations before bringing it to a vote.

More information can be found on the Village of Oswego website.

Concept design for Oswego Brewing Company. Credit: Village Packet for Jan. 16 board meeting.