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Board approves variance allowing bar at 1668 NE 123rd Street, citing commercial context
Summary
The board approved a variance allowing an existing business at 1668 NE 123rd Street to operate as a bar despite not meeting the 1,500-foot separation from residential uses; staff found the proposal met five of six criteria and recommended approval.
The Planning & Zoning Board voted to approve a variance (V-5-25) allowing a bar to operate at 1668 NE 123rd Street in the city’s commercial corridor despite the property falling inside the 1,500-foot separation from certain residential uses.
Staff’s presentation explained that the property sits in a commercially active block with retail and hotel uses nearby, and the applicant had completed required safety and inspection steps. Staff found the application satisfied five of six variance criteria and concluded the variance would not injure the area or impair the general intent of the Land Development Regulations for low-scale commercial districts.
Applicant Christian Muñoz said the venue is small and was designed to host acoustic music, tango and jazz on a small stage rather than louder amplified performances. “It’s based on a little stage where live music happened, just acoustic or tango, jazz, and that kind of thing,” Muñoz said, describing the planned programming.
Board members who visited the site noted the street’s existing commercial character and nearby traffic patterns. A motion to approve carried unanimously.
Staff will require the applicant to obtain a Certificate of Use and Business Tax Receipt and to comply with all federal, state and local regulations before opening as a bar.
