Owner of Kataba River Antique Mall asks Belmont to expedite zoning change for event venue use

At the Dec. 2 council meeting, CJ Vand, owner and operator of Kataba River Antique Mall, asked Belmont officials to expedite a zoning text amendment after an enforcement action halted the property’s event-venue operations earlier in 2024.

Vand said the venue — used for family weddings, birthday parties and community events — was effectively closed in January because the commercial-zone language in the city’s Land Development Code does not allow event venues in that district without a text change. Vand said the venue’s rental revenue is a significant portion of the business’s income and that the closure has substantially reduced revenue; she asked council to prioritize a text amendment to permit family-focused event uses in the commercial zone.

Councilors and staff told Vand that the proposed change would be considered by Planning on Dec. 11 and that zoning amendments follow public-review steps; staff recommended Vand attend upcoming planning meetings to present details and expedite stakeholder review. Council did not take immediate action at the Dec. 2 meeting but directed staff to work with planning and to inform the owner of scheduling and next steps.

Vand asked for an expedited review and said she is preparing a formal text-amendment application. Councilmembers encouraged participation at the Planning Board meeting so the board and staff can consider business and downtown impacts before any council vote.