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Council approves two event‑venue permits, denies one; debate centers on hours and enforcement

Portsmouth City Council · August 27, 2025

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Summary

Council granted two use permits for event/entertainment venues (UP2503 and UP2504) and denied a third (UP2505). Debate focused on neighborhood impacts, closing hours and enforcement capacity; several permits passed with conditions and split votes.

Portsmouth City Council voted on several pending use permits tied to entertainment and event venues on Aug. 26, approving two and denying one after public testimony and council discussion.

UP2503: Council approved a use permit for an entertainment establishment at 2012 Victory Boulevard (UP2503). Steve Carroll spoke against the permit, citing past incidents and a perceived enforcement shortfall; the motion to adopt passed 6–1.

UP2504: Belinda Ashby, the applicant seeking to operate an event/banquet hall at 6031 High Street, told council her venues serve diverse cultural clients and requested flexibility to stay open late on occasion. Councilman Hugo proposed limiting weeknight closing hours to midnight while allowing 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday; Ashby said 2 a.m. is not regularly needed. After brief debate about location and neighborhood context, council adopted UP2504 by a 5–2 vote; the record shows members discussed and weighed a condition to limit weeknight hours but left the permit as proposed with some members signaling expectations to monitor noise and compliance.

UP2505: Council denied a use permit for an entertainment establishment at 1805 Hodges Ferry Road by a 6–1 vote, citing location, parking and neighborhood concerns.

Council said it would monitor permitted operations and expects staff to report enforcement actions when complaints arise. Applicants and neighbors were urged to provide contact information and cooperate with any enforcement proceedings.

What happens next: Permits that were approved will be subject to standard conditions and enforcement; council and staff said they will monitor impacts and may revisit conditions if problems emerge.