Plum Tree National has Liquor Licenses Revoked by County

A local entertainment venue that has drawn the ire of neighbors had its liquor licenses revoked after the McHenry County Liquor Control Commission found it violated county ordinances.

Plum Tree National, 19511 Lembcke Road, lost its Class A and Class D liquor licenses following a unanimous vote of the liquor commission during a public hearing Oct. 12.

The former golf course, which now hosts parties and other outdoor events, was found to have operated without a designated bar manager, a requirement for establishments that serve alcohol. The commission also found Plum Tree broke the county’s noise ordinance by playing loud music late into the night and failed to pay its real estate taxes on time, another necessity for liquor-license holders.

The venue will be allowed to continue to hold events, including upcoming Halloween festivities, as long as it does not serve alcohol.

Plum Tree’s business plans have faced criticism from some of its neighbors, including at least three nearby residents who testified at the hearing that they heard amplified music coming from the property well into the night Sept. 18.

Neighbors have complained that some of the business plans for the former 18-hole golf course — which include a restaurant, outdoor athletic events, exhibitions and concerts in addition to a nine-hole golf course — will be disruptive to the area. Chief among those concerns are worries about amplified music coming from the property.

The hearing, which was attended by about a half-dozen surrounding neighbors, was at times contentious, with a Plum Tree employee and residents disagreeing at one point over what qualifies as mariachi music.

Members of the liquor commission, who also are County Board members, asked Plum Tree representatives to explain why the business was not yet fully operational despite promises made last year, when they first applied for a liquor license, to bring more jobs and business activity to the area.

“How many rounds of golf have you had there?” asked Michael Rein, who represents County Board District 5.

Plum Tree owner Erineo “Eddie” Carranza said the course wasn’t operational and added his business had encountered a number of obstacles, including the loss of a previously registered bar manager, that prevented him from getting it off the ground.

“We’re still in the process of improving the property,” Carranza said. He added other neighbors were supportive of Plum Tree’s redevelopment.

The license revocation took effect immediately. Carranza told the county commission he intended to appeal the decision to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.