Stage set for enclosed uptown space

Request to approve additional shows pending

FAYETTEVILLE — An uptown restaurant and music venue can enclose its space, shielding sound from neighbors and enabling it to host shows year-round, but planning commissioners held off on approving any additional shows in the meantime.

JJ’s Beer Garden and Brewing Co., at Steele Boulevard and Van Asche Drive, had several items come through the Planning Commission on Monday. The items pertained to what time and days of the week the establishment can host concerts, whether it’s considered a restaurant or music venue in city code and the zoning of the property.

Residents in a neighborhood southwest of the building have complained about the sound on concert nights. The venue has booked some national acts who perform on an outdoor stage in front of large crowds.

The commission in June reviewed violations of the establishment’s permit allowing live music and overflow parking on an undeveloped lot immediately south. Granted in 2015, the permit only allows concerts from 6-9 p.m. Thursday. Sound checks outside those hours and overflow parking on nights not associated with concerts triggered the review.

Commissioners ended up allowing sound checks from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, or 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. in case of extenuating circumstances. They also decided to look at the possibility of allowing shows outside the Thursday time slot during a meeting to be held Aug. 27.

The moves commissioners approved Monday will allow the building to enclose the outdoor stage area. Asa Hutchinson III, representing owner Jody Thornton, said no timetable had been developed yet but estimated the cost at $2 million.

“It’s our goal to show we can comply, that we can produce a quality venue that audiences like that doesn’t bother the neighbors,” he said.

Enclosing the space will add about 16,750 square feet to the building, making it more music venue than restaurant. That classifies the building as a cultural or recreational center, which is a conditional use under the property’s current zoning. Commissioners approved the conditional use as a cultural or recreational center.

Rezoning the land will allow that use without a permit. The Planning Commission also approved of the rezoning, which will head to the City Council.

Also Monday, representatives of the business asked the commission to consider, before the Aug. 27 meeting, additional shows. There would be six nights associated with Razorback football games on Saturday, Friday and Saturday night shows associated with Bikes, Blues & BBQ in September, and two charitable shows with dates to be determined.

A motion from Commissioner Porter Winston to allow the Bikes, Blues & BBQ concerts failed to get five votes needed to pass. Jeff Fox, sound engineer with the venue, told commissioners Aug. 27 would likely be too late to get acts booked in time.

Commissioners then pulled the item back and decided to consider all possible additional dates on Aug. 27, as originally decided. None of the commission’s actions Monday changed the frequency or hours of concerts.

About 50 members of the spoke during the June meeting. Many stressed support for the establishment, saying revoking its permit to host concerts would serve as a detriment to the city. Others said something had to be done about the noise.

Two people spoke Monday. William Moore, who lives in the nearby neighborhood, opposed any additional shows and said he wanted an assurance the place wouldn’t open a roof or large door during shows after the enclosure is built.

“We still have to live there. We still have to sleep,” he said. “We still have to get up in the morning and go to work, whether it’s Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday — whatever day of the week it is.”