Planners grant permit for show

FAYETTEVILLE — JJ’s Beer Garden and Brewing Co. can have a charity show Sunday but its previous request to expand hours and have additional concerts has been put on hold.

In a special meeting Thursday, the Planning Commission voted 7-0 to let the uptown restaurant and music venue host a charity event with music for First Tee of Northwest Arkansas.

Normally concerts there are held only Thursdays from 6- 9 p. m. Sunday’s show will happen from 5-8 p.m., so a change to the venue’s permit was needed.

On Monday, owner Jody Thornton asked the commission to let the venue have music until 11 p. m. with 18 additional dates other than Thursday. Commissioners voted to table the item so Thornton could explore ways to muffle the sound.

Several neighbors who live to the southwest spoke against Thornton’s request, saying the music serves as a nuisance.

Commissioner Sloan Scroggin said he likes everything about the place except for what’s happened with the music and encouraged Thornton to work with the neighbors.

“You understand that everybody’s here because this wasn’t brought up Monday,” Scroggin said. “Do you understand that we are not hoping to set a precedent here tonight?”

Thornton apologized for not bringing up the event earlier, adding he thought his request would get approval.

Monday’s item effectively

turned into Thursday’s item, putting the original request on hold. Thornton said he likely will come back to the commission next year after studying ways to take care of the sound situation.

“We heard the neighbors loud and clear,” he said.

“We’re going to try to figure out, if we ever want to do something like this again, to have a better plan with the neighbors when we show up.”

First Tee of Northwest Arkansas is a nonprofit group teaching leadership and healthy habits through golf for children 7 and older, according to its executive director.