BMZA allows outdoor live entertainment at West Rogers restaurant, limits outdoor music to 11 p.m.

Baltimore — After an extended neighborhood exchange, the Baltimore BMZA on May 19 approved a conditional use to add outdoor live entertainment at a restaurant at 362 West Rogers Avenue, subject to a condition that outdoor music end by 11 p.m.

Planning recommended approval only for indoor entertainment because of nearby residential zoning; the applicant’s attorney said the business has operated without incident and submitted a petition of roughly 100 neighborhood signatures in favor of limited outdoor programming. The applicant and witnesses described acoustic mitigation measures, decibel monitoring and limited weekend-only performances.

Neighbors and the board raised questions about noise monitoring and operational details. Rick Leandry, a neighborhood witness who had supported the restaurant at prior hearings, said the proposed outdoor events would be limited and neighborhood-oriented. Planning staff and multiple board members discussed alternatives including sound-absorbent materials, hourly decibel checks, and a complaints log; some members characterized regular half-hour decibel checks as difficult to operationalize but urged clear mitigation practices.

The board’s approval incorporated planning’s recommendations and added the explicit operating hour condition. Board members said they were comfortable approving the limited outdoor use because there was not formal opposition from adjacent property owners and the applicant offered mitigation steps; enforcement would be through zoning and any liquor-board processes if complaints arise.

The board’s written resolution will specify the conditions and any monitoring expectations; the oral vote was unanimous (3–0).