Commission OKs entertainment permit for Hodges Ferry restaurant after neighbors raise parking, noise and safety concerns

The Portsmouth Planning Commission on June 3 recommended approval of a use permit allowing live entertainment at an existing restaurant at 1805 Hodges Ferry Road, approving the application by ARS Enterprises LLC with conditions intended to limit off‑site impacts.

Planner Patrice Branch described the application as a request to add live entertainment to an operating indoor and takeout restaurant. Branch said the building official determined the maximum occupant load for the building as configured is 125 and staff had worked with the applicant on revised narratives, reduced hours for live entertainment and a parking/security plan following community concerns. Branch said the property is in the General Mixed Use zoning district and is designated a mixed use corridor on the Build1 Portsmouth comprehensive plan.

Applicants Charles Hogans and Anthony Cooper, co‑owners of the restaurant, told commissioners they hosted a May community meet‑and‑greet and distributed flyers to nearby residents. “We provided for the neighborhood … a tasting,” Anthony Cooper said, and the owners said they had agreements to use additional off‑site parking at the adjacent property if needed.

Neighbors said they feared the addition of an entertainment use could allow the venue to expand beyond restaurant service and create late‑night parking and public‑safety problems previously reported at the site. Claude (Clark) Parent, who lives across the street, said an entertainment classification could permit a higher occupancy and lead to overflow parking: “If you evaluate the property… that gives him the opportunity to establish the occupancy of a 125,” Parent said, adding that previous operators had generated street parking and late‑night disturbances.

Commissioners questioned hours of operation and enforcement. Staff noted draft use‑specific standards in a connected zoning amendment discussion would set a default live‑entertainment timeframe of 8 a.m. to midnight unless the applicant requests a modification; commissioners asked staff to ensure applicants know they can request exceptions and to consider geographic context when evaluating later hours.

The planning commission motion to approve the use permit included conditions on hours, a required security plan, strict limits on on‑street parking for patrons and adherence to noise and building codes. The item passed by a recorded vote of 6–0 and will move to city council for final action.