Planning commission approves entertainment use permit for Bar 9 at Victory Boulevard with security and noise conditions

The Portsmouth Planning Commission on April 1 approved a use permit (UP‑25‑03) for Bar 9 to operate as a restaurant with live entertainment at 4806 George Washington Highway in the Williams Court shopping center.

Patrice Branch, a city planner, described the application as a request to operate live entertainment — including DJs, bands, poetry and comedy — inside an existing restaurant unit of roughly 3,220 square feet with a stated occupant capacity of about 44. Branch said the owner proposed entertainment after 6 p.m., intends to contract private security and has been in contact with the Portsmouth Police Department to request officer monitoring of parking during events. "Planning staff recommends approval of the applicant’s use permit request with conditions," Branch said; recommended conditions include limits on entertainment hours, capacity limits, noise ordinance compliance and submission of a security plan.

Applicant Renata Brown, owner and managing member of Bar 9, told commissioners the business already uses contracted security daily after 6 p.m., has applied to the police for additional patrols during events and operates another restaurant in Newport News. "Security comes in every day at 6PM to make sure that no one brings weapons in, guns, knives," Brown said. She confirmed the restaurant currently operates Wednesday through Sunday and that on nights with entertainment private security and additional law enforcement will be used as required by occupancy and conditions.

Commissioners asked about occupancy determinations and the security plan requirement. Branch said the 44‑person capacity is set by the building official based on the floor plan and that a condition requires the applicant to submit a security plan to the zoning administrator prior to commencing entertainment events. The police department had requested that operators of event spaces file security plans; staff told commissioners the submitted plan will be reviewed prior to operation.

After discussion the commission voted 6‑0 to approve UP‑25‑03 with conditions outlined in the staff report. The approval record shows staff sought to balance economic activity and neighborhood safety by requiring prior security planning, noise compliance and adherence to occupancy limits.

The applicant and staff noted alcohol and age regulations are also governed by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) authority, and that the permitting conditions are intended to address concerns the police raised about event oversight and parking area monitoring.

Votes and conditions from the staff packet will accompany the record to city council.