Planning commission approves Jupiter Red live‑music permit with 6‑month weekday curfew and security conditions

The Reno Planning Commission on Nov. 5 approved a conditional use permit allowing Jupiter Red, a Midtown bar, to host live entertainment after 11 p.m., but added conditions intended to protect nearby residents.

City staff said the request applies only to live entertainment after 11 p.m.; the underlying bar use is allowed as‑of‑right in the site's mixed‑use Midtown commercial zoning. Grace MacKinnon, senior management analyst, described a security‑plan framework developed with Reno Police Department and code enforcement that requires security staffing and procedures, patron queuing controls, exterior lighting, and measures to prevent loitering. Staff told the commission they had monitored the business after receiving summer complaints and that RPD and code enforcement did not observe continuing violations during recent visits.

Owner Eddie Arista described Jupiter Red as an arts‑oriented, roughly 74–80 capacity venue. He detailed measures he said are already in place — metal detectors, bag checks, interior and exterior cameras, a policy prohibiting patrons from taking drinks out of the venue, stanchions to manage lines and posted signs banning weapons — and said he was prepared to work directly with neighbors to address concerns.

Multiple nearby residents urged the commission to deny the request or impose strict conditions, citing sustained amplified DJ music with heavy bass late into the night, blocked alley parking that prevents garage access, vandalism and disturbances they say have persisted since the bar opened. "Amplified DJ music with heavy bass is played from 9PM until roughly 4AM, Thursday through Sunday," Laurie Soltis told commissioners, and several speakers said enforcement responses to complaints have felt slow or insufficient.

After extended questioning about comparable venues, enforcement options and how increases in attendance would be tracked, commissioners accepted a motion that approved the CUP with two explicit modifications: for the first six months after license issuance, the security plan must limit live-music hours Monday through Thursday so live music does not exceed 11 p.m. (the restriction will cease after six months unless the zoning administrator determines otherwise before that period ends), and the security‑personnel condition was amended to require security staff stationed outside at a minimum during live events. The motion passed unanimously.

Staff said hours and operational specifics will be enforced through the business‑license/security‑plan process coordinated with RPD and code enforcement; commissioners recommended continued monitoring and encouraged the applicant to maintain direct lines of communication with neighbors.