North Little Rock council delays vote on special-use permit for Rose City event center after residents raise noise, parking and security concerns

The North Little Rock City Council postponed final action on O25-07, an ordinance seeking a special use to allow an event center at 305 Phillips Road in the Rose City neighborhood, after multiple residents raised concerns and council members asked staff and the applicant to return with written amendments.

The request, presented as an ordinance on second reading, drew three residents to speak in favor and several neighbors who opposed or sought stronger conditions. Council Member Robinson said she would prepare amendments on operational hours and other conditions and that the item would be brought back at the next council meeting for formal action.

Why it matters: The proposal would introduce a new private events venue in a residential neighborhood where neighbors say sound carries and traffic is already constrained. Council members pressed for clear parking, fire-safety and security plans before approving a permanent special use.

Residents and supporters voiced competing views. Darlene Worthen, who identified herself as a Rose City business owner and a member of a local outreach ministry, said, "I stand for the event center," and described the project as a chance to bring activity to Rose City. Martha Capps, a Rose City resident, said she had researched the operator and asked how the enterprise would be structured; she said she was concerned about oversight if the owners were not hands-on. Shirley Abel, another Rose City resident, said concerns included noise and traffic and warned, "I guarantee you your phones will be ringing at 1, 2, 03:00 in the morning" if late-night events cause disturbance.

The applicant, Santo Rodriguez, told the council he previously operated a restaurant in North Little Rock and apologized for past administrative lapses. In a written statement read aloud, Rodriguez said he had retained an attorney to help track renewal dates and licensing and said, "I will be a good neighbor and provide a needed service to the Rose City area."

Council discussion focused on three practical conditions: hours of operation, on-site security when alcohol is served, and parking and site plans. Robinson said she preferred operating hours of 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., with an additional hour for cleanup, rather than the applicant's originally stated cleanup window that could extend to 1 a.m. Council Member Harris suggested allowing a later closing hour on Friday and Saturday nights (midnight) as a possible compromise. Council Member Fowler sought specifics on how licensed security would be enforced; Fowler also proposed a condition requiring two licensed security officers when more than 350 people attend and alcohol is served.

Fire-safety and occupancy also drove the council's requests. The fire marshal told the council the building is roughly 11,000 square feet and, depending on interior layout, the occupant load could be at the low end around 350 or could exceed 700 if configured with dense standing/dance areas; the marshal said final capacity would be set only after submitted plans and code review. The fire marshal's office also told council staff that if an occupancy of about 380 is anticipated, the applicant would need to provide a detailed drawing showing roughly 80–90 parking spaces, with aisles, as a condition of approval.

Council members and staff agreed they need written amendments and documentation before final action. The council did not adopt the ordinance at the meeting; instead members asked Council Member Robinson to draft amendments (hours, security, parking/plan submission and required fire-safety upgrades) and directed staff to work with the applicant and property owner to provide the required plans and certificates. The mayor and council indicated the item will return at the next council meeting with the proposed amendments on the floor.

What happens next: The applicant and owner were asked to submit building and parking plans and to document security and alcohol-licensing arrangements. Council Member Robinson will present amendments at the next meeting. No formal roll-call vote on adoption occurred at this session.

Context: The property was applied for as an event center/similar special use. Speakers noted existing venues in North Little Rock and contrasted long-standing businesses such as Shotgun Dance, which has a separate history and zoning, with proposed event-center operations that may entail large crowds and alcohol service.

Ending: The council’s decision to postpone gives the neighborhood more time to review proposed conditions and gives staff time to verify parking, fire-safety and ABC/licensing requirements before a final vote.