Planning Commission grants 1 Up Club conditional use permit but limits live entertainment to 3 a.m.

The Reno Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit (LDC25‑00027) for live entertainment at 214 West Commercial Row — the property associated with the 1 Up Club — but limited amplified live performances to a 3 a.m. closure on late‑night nights after a contested hearing and a close vote.

What the permit covers - The applicant, Fadi Mehana, sought a conditional use permit to operate amplified live entertainment between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The property is in the Downtown Mixed‑Use Entertainment District, where bars and some entertainment uses are allowed by right, but amplified live entertainment after 11 p.m. requires a CUP. - Staff recommended approval with conditions that would limit live amplified entertainment to 3 a.m. on late nights and required a sound study‑compliance program, a security and management plan approved by Reno Police and Code Enforcement, enhanced lighting, and routine cleanup around the building.

Public comment and major themes - Dozens of speakers addressed the commission. Neighbors and residents from the Montage condominium complex and other nearby residences described a long record of loud low‑frequency bass, broken glass, security calls and public‑safety concerns tied to prior nightclub operations at the site. Montage resident Sharon Elledge said she had documented police reports and that previous mitigation had not solved problems. Rick Heroux told commissioners the Montage faces serious impacts from loud venues and warned of public‑safety and property‑value consequences. - Supporters — including local promoters, musicians, business owners and some neighborhood residents — urged the commission to allow the venue to reopen, emphasizing economic and cultural benefits for downtown, jobs, and successful examples at other venues. Promoters and sound engineers said modern speaker configurations and the acoustical study reduce off‑site impacts. - Applicant Fadi Mehana described prior efforts to reduce noise (sound walls, roof material, double doors) and said he had spent significant money on improvements. He said the requested hours are required for a feasible business model and that he would operate with security, crowd control and cleanup plans.

Commission deliberation and vote - Commissioners debated consistency with prior decisions, enforcement practicality and equity with other downtown venues. Several commissioners said staff’s recommended 3 a.m. cutoff creates consistency with other conditional use permits for live entertainment; others argued for the applicant’s requested 5 a.m. hours to make the business viable. - A motion to amend staff’s recommendation and permit live entertainment until 5 a.m. failed on a 3–4 vote. A subsequent motion approved the staff‑recommended CUP with conditions limiting amplified live entertainment to 3 a.m. on Thursday–Saturday nights. The vote to approve the CUP as conditioned passed.

Conditions (high level) - Security and management plan subject to approval by zoning administrator, Code Enforcement, Reno Police Department and Reno Fire Department before live amplified events begin; - Sound‑mitigation measures and compliance monitoring based on a certified acoustical study (applicant provided a sound study) and a condition that monitoring show decibel levels consistent with the study; an upgrade to building doors, noise‑absorbing materials, and other measures as required; - Lighting and queue management to reduce loitering and improve safety; routine nighttime cleanup of adjacent sidewalks and curbs; enhanced staffing and training for security personnel; - The zoning administrator, at the city’s discretion, may require modifications to the security plan if code enforcement complaints increase.

Why it matters: residents urged caution and stronger enforcement, while supporters argued the venue and events help revitalize downtown by bringing music, jobs and customers to local businesses. The commission balanced those positions by approving the CUP with conditions and a 3 a.m. noise cutoff rather than the 5 a.m. hours the applicant sought.

Next steps: the decision is appealable to City Council within 10 business days; the applicant and staff must complete compliance steps (security plan and specified building improvements) before late‑night amplified live events can begin.