Planning staff presented a proposed amendment to the Colley Avenue and 20 First Street Pedestrian Commercial Overlay (PCO) districts to permit restaurants that serve alcohol by zoning permit, provided they close by 11 p.m. The change was requested by the Ghent Business Association and would apply only to the limited overlay area that runs from Monticello Avenue toward Hampton Boulevard on 20 First and 20 Second streets and south along Colley Avenue.
Why it matters: The change would speed the process for restaurants to open in the concentrated pedestrian-commercial area but also raised questions about enforcement and whether prior conditional-use-permit revocations would allow a business to operate by right under the new rule.
Staff and commission input: Bobby Tahan said the Planning Commission recommended approval by a 7–0 vote. Staff noted that restaurants in the overlay historically were permitted by restaurant zoning certificates and, after 2022, by conditional use permits for on-premises alcohol. Under the proposed text, alcohol service would be allowed by zoning permit with an 11 p.m. closing requirement; staff said the zoning permit could be revoked through the city’s violation process.
Council concerns and follow-up: Councilmember Spiegel and others asked whether an establishment that previously had a CUP revoked (for example, for late-night hours to 2 a.m.) could immediately return and operate until 11 p.m. Staff said revocation/violation procedures could apply, and that they would review the text to ensure protections cover businesses with prior revocations before bringing the amendment back for vote.
Next steps: Staff said they will check the ordinance language and, if necessary, add clarifying language about revocations prior to presenting the amendment for council action.