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Commission approves Aby's downtown amendment to add video lottery area and longer hours
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a major amendment for Aby's Bar and Music Venue at 406 Fifth Street to add a casino area (video lottery machines) within its existing bar, change signage and allow expanded operating hours per the submitted operational plan.
The Rapid City Planning Commission on Aug. 7 approved a major amendment to a planned development overlay for 406 Fifth Street to allow an on-sale liquor use in conjunction with a small casino area within Aby's Bar and Music Venue, along with a change to the business’s signage and an eventual expansion of operating hours.
City planning staff said the amendment applies only to Aby’s operations within an existing building; no change to the building footprint is proposed. The applicant proposes to place video lottery machines inside the existing bar area. Staff noted the Urban Commercial zoning and the downtown future land-use designation are compatible with an on-sale liquor use combined with a music venue and casino.
As part of the amendment, the applicant sought an operational plan change to gradually expand hours to a maximum of 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days per week. The applicant also proposed signage that would read “Aby's Pub and Casino.” That revised signage was reviewed and approved by the Historic Sign Review Committee and was expected to reduce overall sign square footage for the property, staff said.
Vicky, planning staff, clarified that Chapter 17 of the city code does not regulate casinos, but that state law requires an on-sale liquor license to operate a casino; because the venue already holds an on-sale liquor approval for the music venue, the amendment process is required for any operational plan change. Staff recommended approval of the major amendment with the conditions in the staff report.
Walt Albacey, managing partner of Seed LLC and owner of the property, said the broader property has ongoing revitalization plans, including future work on a metal “tin shed” at the southeast of the complex. Albacey said redevelopment work on adjacent units is already underway and that the tin-shed area is on the development agenda.
Commissioner Vince moved approval of the amendment with staff stipulations; Commissioner Mike Alder seconded. The motion passed by voice vote. The operational plan and approved signage will be kept on file with the Planning Department, and any required liquor licensing or state approvals remain the applicant’s responsibility before casino operations may begin.
No external changes to the building’s footprint were approved; the amendment governs internal operations, hours and signage under the planned development overlay.
