Title/Name/Summary
Haraz Coffee House Outdoor Seating Area
History
QUICKFACTS
Project
Installing 2 10’ x 20’ pergolas on the existing patio
Petitioner
Basheer Shahbain, owner
Purpose
The petitioner requests approval to install 2 pergolas in the existing outdoor seating area, Haraz Coffee House, located at 13137 LaGrange Road.
Requested Actions: Appearance Review
Project Attributes
Address: 13137 LaGrange Road
P.I.N.(s): 23-34-302-020-0000
Building Size: 15,000 SF
Tenant Space Size: 1,900 SF
Comprehensive Plan Planning District: Sandburg Planning District
Comprehensive Land Designation: Neighborhood Mixed Use
Existing Zoning: BIZ: General Business District
Existing Land Use: Restaurant with outdoor seating
Surrounding Land Use:
North: Indoor Recreation (Pilates Studio)
South: Medical Office (Dialysis)
East: Commercial Retail (Aldi)
West: Civic/ Institutional (Carl Sandburg High School)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION & CONTEXT
This property is part of the Southmoor Commons Planned Development 2005-0259. Originally, this unit was designed as a 1,900 square foot restaurant with seating for 60 indoor seats and 24 outdoor patio seats. The patio area is enclosed by an ornamental black iron fence which was a part of the original patio construction. The patio area was approved under Special Use Ordinance 4194, supplanting a drive-through which previously occupied the space. The current tenant, Haraz Coffee House, has operated the space since 2022 and has not made any significant exterior changes to the space.
Proposed Project
The Petitioner proposes to add 2 pergolas to the outdoor seating area. The proposed pergolas are square in design and measure 10’ x 20’ with a height of 8.2’. The proposed pergolas are constructed of aluminum with a brown-colored faux wood façade and offer adjustable louvers on the top to control sunlight, shade and ventilation. The materials are intended for year-round use and are purported to be weather, water, rust, and fade resistant.
According to the submitted plans, the pergolas are intended to be placed side-by-side approximately 5’ from the building’s façade and approximately 15’ space between them. The pergola’s long edge will be parallel to the building’s façade with seating underneath.
The petitioner has submitted Haraz Coffee House Outdoor Seating Area detailing the proposed changes, and relevant product information.
The recommendation motion includes the following conditions:
1) Meet all final engineering and building code related items.
Overall, the project conforms to the Village’s Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Codes and policies for this area.
DETAILED PLANNING DISCUSSION
Per Land Development Code Section 6-207.B.21, outdoor seating and pergolas are permitted uses for restaurants greater than 300 feet away from a residential parcel. Outdoor seating shall have aisle widths of thirty-six (36) inches or more, and any fence, wall, landscaping or similar barrier installed in or around the outdoor seating areas shall be not less than 24 inches in height and not greater than 48 inches in height.
Pergola’s have a max height of 10’ but cannot exceed the height of the principal structure per Section 6-302.C.2. of the Land Development Code. The proposed pergolas are compliant with this regulation.
As proposed, the outdoor seating area conforms to the Village’s Land Development Codes and policies for this area.
Signage
Signage is not part of this petition and should be submitted for separate review to the Building Division.
Recommended Action/Motion
The Appearance Review for Haraz Coffee House Outdoor Seating Area, case number 2025-0410, as shown on the plan titled Haraz Coffee House Outdoor Seating Area, submitted by the petitioner on May 14, 2025, has been administratively approved on May 27, 2025, subject to the following conditions.
1) Meet all final engineering and building code related items.