Owner of Jazz on Dargan urges Florence leaders to preserve downtown music venue as new apartments arrive

Tommy Mitchell, owner of Jazz on Dargan, appealed to the Florence City Council on behalf of his downtown music venue, saying residential development around his business threatens its ability to remain in the city center.

Mitchell told the council he has operated Jazz on Dargan on Dargan Street for about seven years and said the venue helped revive downtown Florence when foot traffic was low. “Our purpose here today is to let everybody know that Jazz on Dargan do wanna stay downtown,” Mitchell said during the public-comments portion.

The request prompted an extended discussion about balancing downtown residential growth with entertainment and nightlife. Mayor (referred to in the meeting as “madam mayor”) and multiple council members praised Jazz on Dargan’s role in downtown revitalization and said they want the business to remain. Councilman McCall said the venue is a “staple” and urged Mitchell to work with staff on options. Councilman Bailey urged formation of a stronger business voice downtown so merchants could present collective proposals when residents raise concerns.

City Manager Scott (referred to as “Scott” in the meeting) described city programs that can support small businesses, and cited grants and credits Jazz on Dargan has received in the past. He told the council the city offers one-on-one consultations with downtown development staff, marketing and design support, a $10,000 facade grant, a $500 sign grant, a $500 design grant, and a competitive redevelopment grant (up to $30,000) based on a cost-benefit analysis for projects that meet thresholds. The city also provides a $300 business-license credit for a first year and noted Jazz on Dargan previously received a $5,000 COVID relief grant and about $29,692 in tenant-outfit redevelopment support, Scott said.

Mitchell and council members discussed noise and zoning rules. Scott and other staff described an existing city noise ordinance that establishes a 10:00 p.m. quiet-time threshold in the downtown area and measures noise by decibels (the city noted 70 decibels as a downtown standard). Council members acknowledged the tension between encouraging residential density and preserving entertainment venues. “We need all three — live, work, play — to have a successful downtown,” Councilman Bailey said, citing a planning principle that residential customers can help support restaurants and entertainment businesses.

After the public discussion, staff requested and the council agreed to defer action on the downtown design standards so planning staff can work with Mitchell and other stakeholders to consider measures cited by Mitchell — including building soundproofing and other policy options — before returning to council. Council members said they support looking at noise mitigation and design-review changes but emphasized that the city cannot require a private property owner to use their parcel in a particular way if the zoning allows the use.

Council members and staff also recommended that downtown businesses organize collectively so they can present coordinated proposals to the city. Several council members urged Mitchell not to give up and encouraged him to meet with the mayor and city manager about relocation eligibility for city grant programs if he needs another downtown site.

The council’s deliberations touched on related planning and permitting matters: staff noted about 32 residential units are “on the books” and about 100 units had been permitted in the downtown area, illustrating the pace of residential growth.

Votes at a glance

- Bill 2025-01 (second reading) — ordinance to annex and zone I-L property at 1228 North Cashew Drive: passed on second reading. - Bill 2025-02 (second reading) — ordinance to rezone a portion of tax map number 00147-01-023: passed on second reading. - Bill 2025-03 (second reading) — vacant and abandoned building registration (Chapter 4 amendments): deferred/postponed by staff request. - Bill 2025-04 (second reading) — ordinance finding certain dwellings unfit for habitation (various remedies): passed on second reading. - Bill 2025-05 (first reading) — annexation/zoning (N C-15) for three parcels at Vintage Place: council voted not to approve the three-lot annexation (did not pass); staff and several council members urged pursuing neighborhood-wide annexation instead. - Bill 2025-06 (first reading) — annex and zone C-G property at Gilbert Drive and Freedom Boulevard: passed on first reading. - Bill 2025-07 (first reading) — annex and zone R G-3 property at Tunbridge Place/West Lake Drive: passed on first reading. - Bill 2025-08 (first reading) — updated downtown design standards: deferred for further work with Mitchell and others following public comment. - Bill 2025-09 (first reading) — amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance to maintain FEMA compliance and adopt revised FIRM: passed on first reading. - Bill 2025-10 (first reading) — temporary moratorium on development approval of plats for properties that include graves/cemeteries: approved on first reading (staff will draft regulations and provide second reading later). - Resolution 2025-04 — proclaiming Feb. 23–Mar. 1, 2025, as Montessori Education Week: adopted. - Resolution 2025-05 — Municipal Association of South Carolina 2025 advocacy initiative: failed for lack of motion following executive-session discussion. - Resolution 2025-06 — agreement with the South Carolina Office of Resilience (grant amendment for McQueen/Cedar stormwater project): adopted. - Resolution 2025-07 — downtown development grant: adopted.

Why it matters

Mitchell’s appearance highlighted a recurring policy challenge for Florence and many growing downtowns: how to preserve cultural and entertainment uses while accommodating residential redevelopment. Council members and staff signaled support for the venue and agreed to pause formal action on downtown design standards so staff can consider soundproofing and other mitigations before a vote. The outcome will shape how the city balances nightlife, residential life and economic development in the core downtown area.

What’s next

Staff will work with Mitchell and the planning department to revise elements of the downtown design standards and examine policy tools such as soundproofing requirements or incentives and report back to council. Mitchell was encouraged to continue meeting with the mayor, the city manager and downtown development staff to explore relocation support and grant eligibility if needed.