Wheat Ridge council backs zoning approach for event venues

Wheat Ridge City Council members agreed at an Oct. 5 study session to move forward with a proposal that would regulate event venues through zoning rather than the city’s social-club licensing rules. The discussion was preliminary; no ordinance was adopted, the meeting recording shows.

Under the proposal, zoning would determine where venues could operate and what standards they must meet. Staff outlined four categories: indoor venues where events are the property’s primary use; outdoor venues, including hybrid indoor-outdoor spaces; outdoor entertainment accessory to a commercial use, such as a restaurant hosting live music; and accessory outdoor entertainment on residential or agricultural properties larger than one acre.

That last category would require a special-use permit and public review. Staff also proposed requiring written notice and an opportunity to correct violations before enforcement, allowing the director to modify permit conditions, and retaining Council’s role in hearing appeals and modifying or revoking permits.

Staff did not propose a separate event-venue license. Instead, it recommended stronger enforcement against businesses operating without a business license, changes to address gaps in liquor-license rules, and allowing some building-code and licensing violations to be considered under the city’s nuisance code.

The discussion did not settle whether existing venues would be grandfathered, need new zoning approvals or receive a transition period. Staff said it had tested the approach against existing venues but did not describe what the proposal would require of particular businesses.

Staff targeted Oct. 15 for Planning Commission review of the zoning changes and said it was aiming for a Council vote on a combined ordinance Nov. 9. Those are planned dates. Staff said noise rules are being handled separately because they would cover issues beyond event venues, including other businesses and house parties.