Council Committee to Review Nightlife Proposal

(Press release from City Council: also see recent post here)

Councilmember Sally Clark

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 28, 2006

CONTACTS: Molly Neitzel, Clark Office, (206) 684-8802; George Howland, Jr., Council
Communications, (206) 684-8159

Council Committee to Review Nightlife Proposal

The Seattle City Council's Economic Development & Neighborhoods committee will receive a briefing, Thursday, March 1, from the mayor's office on a proposal to regulate nightlife establishments in the city of Seattle. The briefing will be the first of several presentations the committee will hear on the proposed ordinance.

"Seattle enjoys a reputation for great music and terrific neighborhoods," said Economic Development and Neighborhoods Committee Chair Sally J. Clark. "We're looking for reasonable ways to prevent and resolve the clashes that come up when residential areas and clubs cohabitate."

The proposed legislation defines "nightlife premises" as businesses that serve liquor between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., have more than 500 square feet, and are used at a density of one person per seven square feet or less. The ordinance would require each premise that meets the definition to obtain a Nightlife Premise License from the City. Nightlife Premise Licenses would be subject to suspension or revocation for violations of operating standards proposed in the Mayor's ordinance. Proposed operating standards address noise, litter, occupancy, crime prevention and alcohol sales.

Over the next several months, presentations will include the Mayor's Nightlife Task Force, the Seattle Nightlife and Music Association, Washington State Liquor Control Board, and the Seattle Attorney's office.

The Economic Development & Neighborhoods committee meets every first and third Thursday of the month. The nightlife issue will be on the EDN committee's agenda for meetings through May of this year.

For information on the Economic Development and Neighborhoods Committee schedule or for a copy of the proposed ordinance, go to: http://www.seattle.gov/council/clark/


Next meeting: March 15 6:00 p.m. Miller Park Community Center:

Central Staff report on: Comparable Cities Regulation of Nightlife Premises and Current City Codes Applicable to Nightlife Premises.

Tom Carr and Member or Representative of the Liquor Control Board report on: Liquor Control Board’s Role in Licensing and Enforcing State Liquor Laws and the City Attorney’s Function (Civil Enforcement, Good Neighbor Agreements and Interface with Liquor License Renewals)