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Providence committee narrows late-night live-music hours in zoning amendment
Summary
A Providence City committee approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance narrowing when incidental live music may run late at night and clarifying that prerecorded music may continue through closing time; the change follows a public hearing with more than 60 speakers.
Providence — A Providence City committee on Nov. 3 approved an amendment to Chapter 27 of the city's zoning ordinance that narrows the nights when incidental live music may run until 11 p.m. and clarifies how prerecorded music is treated.
The committee approved a revision proposed by the Department of Planning and Development that makes the live-music clause a separate sentence and limits later live-music hours. Robert Azar, deputy director of the department, read the new wording into the record: “If incidental entertainment is provided as a live music performance, it shall cease at 09:00PM, Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00PM on Friday and Saturday, as well as on the Sunday night preceding a city-recognized holiday that falls on a Monday.” He added that prerecorded music “may continue through closing time.”
The change narrows the days on which incidental live music can run until 11 p.m.; under the revised language, the later hour is allowed only on Friday and Saturday nights and on the Sunday night immediately before a Monday holiday, rather than any night before a city-recognized holiday.
Councilor Peterson, who moved the amendment, noted that the committee also added trivia and karaoke to the incidental-entertainment definition, and asked why the ordinance now uses the broader term “facility” rather than “bar or restaurant.” Azar said the term is intended to allow incidental entertainment in a range of uses—examples he cited included office holiday parties and public buildings—so long as the activity meets the ordinance standards and is low in volume with no cover charge.
Chairman Pedro Espinal said the committee considered public input: “Over 60 people actually testified. We're here for over 4 hours,” he said, adding that the testimony was taken into consideration as the language was refined.
Councilor Peterson moved to amend as directed by Azar; Councilwoman Harris seconded. After the amendment was read and discussed, the committee voted in favor of the amendment and then approved the zoning-change item as amended.
The amendment changes the municipal zoning definition of incidental entertainment; prerecorded music remains permitted through closing time under the revised wording. The committee approved the item during the meeting.
