City staff flags 'first-in-nation' proposal to preserve live music venues

The Entertainment Commission was told on Dec. 16 that legislation introduced that day would create new protections for live music venues and set requirements for developers building near them. The commission’s Director said the measure—in her words the “first in the nation legislation to preserve live music venues”—would require developers to notify venues and local stakeholders when they propose residential projects within 300 feet of an entertainment venue that has operated at least 12 consecutive months, and would tighten sound-testing standards.

The Director said the ordinance would change multiple sections of local codes including building, planning and police codes and add provisions to the administrative code that would enable the commission to convene early discussions between developers, permit holders and neighbors. “It requires more accurate sound testings, by developers who are building near places of entertainment,” the Director said during the staff report, and staff offered to circulate the introduced version to commissioners.

Why it matters: Commissioners and community members framed the measure as a proactive step to reduce conflicts between new residential development and longstanding entertainment uses. The Director said the measure will have a 30-day wait period before it moves to committee and that she expects additional co-sponsors after the introduction.

Next steps: Staff said it will email copies of the introduced legislation to the commission and follow the item through committee referral and any subsequent amendments. The Director asked commissioners to prepare to advise on sound and neighborhood impacts as the ordinance moves through the legislative process.