Roanoke BZA approves special exception to reopen tavern at 1641 9th Street SE with interior-only music restrictions

The Roanoke Board of Zoning Appeals voted July 15 to approve a special exception allowing an entertainment establishment — described by the applicant as a restaurant and tavern — at 1641 9th Street Southeast.

Applicant Morris Brownhouse told the board he has been working on reopening the long‑abandoned building and said he had spoken with nearby stakeholders about the proposal. Planning staff recommended approval with conditions that include obtaining a certificate of occupancy within 12 months and limiting amplified music to 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Staff read revised language specifying that amplified music must be contained inside the property’s single enclosed building.

“ We was, been working along 1641, Southeast 9th Street, and we was looking to bring in a restaurant in the tavern, which that had been that establishment for a long time, but had been abandoned it,” applicant Morris Brownhouse said when sworn in and describing his plans to bring activity back to the neighborhood. Planning staff (Mister Moore) told the board the recommended conditions were intended to balance business activity with neighborhood livability, and staff read the final condition as: “The amplification of music shall also be limited to the interior of the only enclosed building on the subject property.”

Board members asked whether the applicant had spoken with nearby residents; Brownhouse said he had contacted the Boys and Girls Club, a 7‑Eleven and one residence directly behind the site and that those parties were agreeable to the proposal. The chair opened the public‑comment period for the application and the secretary reported no registered speakers; no members of the public spoke at the hearing.

A board member moved to adopt the staff‑recommended conditions as amended to require interior‑only amplification; the motion was seconded and members present voted to adopt the amended conditions. The board then voted to approve the special exception with the adopted conditions. Miss Clark called the votes; recorded aye votes were entered by members present and the chair congratulated the applicant on the approval.

The approved conditions require the applicant to obtain a certificate of occupancy for the entertainment/restaurant use within 12 months of the grant of the special exception and restrict amplified music to the hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., limited to the interior of the enclosed building on the property. The board adjourned after closing the meeting’s business.