Councilors call for overhaul of conference-center licensing after reports of after-hours events and violence

Council members raised concerns that some businesses operating under a conference-center license are running late-night, nightclub-style events and urged changes to the licensing rules and enforcement practices.

The discussion focused on Item 9 and related licensing questions for venues using a conference-center designation. One councilmember described a reported incident in which a 17-year-old was maced and struck inside a venue and said some holders of a "conference center" license are operating from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., advertising "ladies night" and hosting BYOB events.

Councilmembers said a committee that previously defined a conference center by square footage (reported in the meeting as over 1,500 or 2,000 square feet) created a loophole that allows businesses to convert old storefronts into late-night event venues without specific council review. "That committee came up with a conference center being over 1,500 or 2,000 square feet, and they didn't have to come in front of the city council," one councilmember said.

Several councilmembers said the city needs stronger standards and more consistent review. Councilmember Mister Mitchell said many of the older storefront conversions were predictable and that the council should either change the size threshold or require more applications to come before the council so "we would know where they're going and have some type of say." Councilmember Mister Bryant said he plans to raise enforcement actions publicly and insisted the licensing category had "gotten out of control."

Action taken: Councilmember Miss Grant asked that a pending application for a conference-center license at the Atlanta Crossing shopping center (Item 23) be carried over while the council crafts new guidance; the work session record shows the council agreed to carry that item over indefinitely. "You can carry it over indefinitely if that's a little to count for," staff said; Miss Grant replied, "That's my will. Do it." The record reflects the item will return after committee work to revisit conference-center definitions and related licenses (including discussion of adult entertainment and allowable hours).

Enforcement and next steps: Councilmembers asked staff to assemble a list of businesses holding conference-center licenses and to evaluate enforcement options when businesses operate outside the expected activity or hours. Staff and council members also said the review committee will examine whether some venues should require explicit council approval or different license categories.

No ordinance changes were adopted at the work session. The matter was placed on the committee track for further drafting and a future council vote.