HARVARD – Plum Tree National Country Club's liquor licenses have been revoked after noise complaints from neighbors and other license violations.
In October, seven residents submitted a complaint of violation to the McHenry County Liquor and License Commission citing concerns with the property at 19511 Lembcke Road, Harvard, which was formerly a golf course.
“All year long, we’ve been receiving complaints from neighbors coming off of these outdoor events that they’re having,” McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney Jana Blake Dickson said.
An Indie Halloween concert, garden walks and a "ScaryTown Scream Park" are listed as upcoming events on its website, www.plumtreenational.com.
Aside from the noise complaints, Plum Tree National Country Club owner Erineo “Eddie” Carranza hasn’t paid the real estate property taxes owed to McHenry County for the property, and failed to notify the commission in proper time that a manager position was vacant, Blake Dickson said.
In McHenry County, a person is not eligible to receive a liquor license if taxes are owed, Blake Dickson said.
Carranza owes the county more than $23,700 in property taxes for the Plum Tree property, McHenry County Treasurer Glenda Miller said Monday. If the taxes aren’t paid by Nov. 13, a tax lien may be imposed on the property, she said.
Carranza and Plum Tree staff could not be reached for comment.
State and local laws also require there to be a local manager if the liquor licensee does not live in the county, Blake Dickson said. The former local manager, Jaymie Powell, testified that she quit in January after Plum Tree had failed to pay her, Blake Dickson said, and Plum Tree did not hire a new manager in the required time frame.
The decision to revoke the Class A and D liquor licenses was made after a public hearing Wednesday, liquor and license commission chairman Bob Nowak said.
“Everybody wishes them the best success,” Nowak said. “It was hard for us to really hammer down on them, but they need to realize that there’s residential homes there, too."
Nowak said it’s not typical to revoke a license solely because of noise complaints, but the contributing factors helped the board make its decision.
“It kind of takes away their credibility,” Nowak said, adding the commission would be willing to consider another application once the taxes are paid and a local manager is in place.
Neighbor to the property Anna Alteno said her main problem with Carranza is he doesn’t follow the rules of the county.
“As long as [Carranza] conforms to the rules of McHenry County, that’s my main concern because McHenry County has our best wishes in mind,” Alteno said. “I’m sure [the county] doesn’t want a noise fiasco going on in there – it wastes everybody’s time.”
She and neighbor MaryAnn Hay have tried to go to the restaurant on the property, but it's never been open.
McHenry County Planning and Development Director Dennis Sandquist said the restaurant is not zoned or permitted for an outdoor entertainment venue, which means it cannot only open the restaurant for events.
“They’re only allowed to do outdoor entertainment if it was accessory to the operation of the bar and restaurant, and based on our inspections, the bar and restaurant were not routinely open for business," Sandquist said.
Heather Fisher, whose property borders Plum Tree, moved to the area two years ago for the peace and quiet, not expecting to hear concerts and events that disturb her dogs and 1-year-old daughter.
And while the business has made her angry and worried at times, Fisher said she and others aren't looking to drive Plum Tree out of business.
"It's not that we don’t support business or things coming into the area," Fisher said. "... It's the lack of regard for the neighbors."