Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Assembly Hall topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves 1‑year trial for West Capitol Drive event space after neighbor complaints
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals granted a one‑year special‑use permit for an event space at 359235 West Capitol Drive after neighbors described noise, trespassing and parking trouble during a soft opening; the applicant agreed to limits — 50 guests, hired security and an enforceable plan of operation — and must return if problems persist.
The Board of Zoning Appeals voted to approve a one‑year special‑use permit for Elevated Experience LLC to operate an assembly hall at 359235 West Capitol Drive, subject to conditions including a 50‑person cap, licensed catering for alcohol service, and required security and traffic mitigation.
Neighbor Greg Fate, who said he owns the 12‑unit apartment building directly across from the site, told the board that a May soft opening produced “wild card music, trespassing, rowdiness” and prompted eight residents to file objection letters. “My residents complained because they felt threatened and concerned about their property and well‑being,” Fate said during public comment.
Applicant Howard Campbell and attorney Mike Meselmann described a revised plan of operation that the Department of Neighborhood Services calls enforceable. Meselmann said the venue will limit occupancy, hire security custodially to perform hourly exterior sweeps and place responsibility for guest conduct with event contract holders. “We’re gonna have hourly staff and security out there to deal with loitering and loud noise… they’re gonna be there when the event starts and when the event ends,” Meselmann said.
Alderman Westmoreland said he was ‘‘on the fence’’ and urged careful monitoring; he also suggested the city’s forthcoming public‑entertainment licensing could change the regulatory picture and recommended holding consideration until the new rules are in place. The board’s chair responded that DNS believes the submitted plan is enforceable and framed the approval as a short trial period to protect neighbors: “This will be a trial period,” the chair said before the motion.
Board members moved that the four criteria for a special use had been met and approved the permit for one year with the conditions in the hearing summary. The decision requires the applicant to comply with the plan of operation, provide a contact for neighbor complaints, and return for further action if enforcement issues arise.
