Commission endorses Rusty Chicken live-music permit at the Rialto amid historic-preservation checks

The Planning Commission moved to recommend approval of a conditional use permit allowing the Rusty Chicken live-music venue to operate at the Rialto Theater, 424 West Main (case 2026-63CUP).

Miss York, the city planning staff member presenting the request, said the property is zoned Central Area and located in the commercial historic overlay district and that "Staff recommends approval of their request as it is with no conditions." She noted the applicant had received a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Board and was proceeding with building-permit steps for renovation.

Commissioners asked several detailed questions about exterior work raised to the Historic Preservation Board, including removal of refrigeration panels above the marquee, potential restoration of windows and brick pointing, and ADA compliance and railing repairs at the rear of the building. Miss York said some items may be handled by staff-level approvals while others could come back to the Historic Preservation Board if required.

A commissioner who remembered the Rialto from earlier years said, "When I lived on Main Street with my wife, we used to go to that every week... I have a lot of memories there," and expressed support for adaptive reuse. The commission clarified that the motion should reference the use as a "dance hall or a nightclub," and a commissioner moved to recommend approval on that basis; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The applicant representatives were present and expressed enthusiasm for renovating and reusing the Rialto; staff will track any work that requires additional historic-preservation review or staff approval as the project moves through permitting.