The Wheeling Plan Commission on Dec. 3 recommended approval of three related items for Red Bottle Restaurant at 401 East Dundee Road: an entertainment special-use permit (for recurring events such as karaoke or comedy), an assembly/banquet special use and a minor site-plan appearance approval for outdoor dining. The items were approved by the commission with modified conditions addressing exterior lighting and noise.

Owner Dmitry Khlebnikov said the concept combines dining and entertainment at a second location and described plans for karaoke, trivia nights, comedy and private events. "We will have a great Italian menu with the handpicked wine collection," Khlebnikov said, and he projected increased business activity at the plaza. At the hearing he estimated capacity and business metrics, saying the restaurant's total capacity is about 210 and asserting anticipated revenue of about $250,000 per month; that revenue figure was stated as a petitioner projection and not documented in the record.

Staff explained the distinctions among the requested approvals: the restaurant base use, an entertainment establishment for venues with more than 10 events a year, and an assembly use for banquet-style rentals. Commissioners focused on outdoor lighting, safety and noise spillover. The petitioner asked to defer installing replacement light posts, saying existing ambient light and table lamps should be sufficient; staff and commissioners negotiated a compromise that added two site-plan conditions: removal of one broken light post before opening and installation of a second light post opposite the existing one by June 1, 2026, with the petitioner responsible for required permits.

Other standard conditions approved by the commission require that entertainment activities (music, performances, karaoke, trivia, comedy) be conducted entirely inside the tenant space unless a separate special-use amendment is approved, amplified sound levels comply with Chapter 8.24 of the village code, exterior doors remain closed during entertainment to prevent noise spillover, and hours of outdoor operation will be governed by the liquor license the operator obtains. The commission voted to forward the recommendations to the Village Board for final action on Dec. 15; recorded votes were affirmative among commissioners present.