Title
A Resolution creating the Trolley District Entertainment District
Presenter:
Jill Gaebler, City Council Member, District 5
Lee McRae, License Enforcement Officer, City Clerk Office
Joseph Niebur, Trolley District Sponsor
Body
Summary:
Presentation to discuss proposed resolution to create and set boundaries for the Trolley District Entertainment District
Background:
Colorado Senate Bill 11-273 provided authority to a local governing body of a Local Licensing Authority to create Entertainment Districts within their jurisdiction for the purpose of allowing alcohol beverage consumption in Common Consumption Area(s) organized by certain liquor licensee member Promotional Association(s).
Following a May 8, 2017 City Council informational presentation and subsequent stakeholder engagement, the City Council on September 12, 2017 approved Ordinance 17-75 and Resolution 95-17 which amended the City’s Liquor Code and Rules to enable and allow Entertainment Districts and related Promotional Associations with Common Consumption Areas. These changes for allowing and enacting Entertainment Districts balance the enforcement and regulatory needs for consumption of alcohol beverages in defined public spaces with the desire to streamline and limit the bureaucratic process.
While these changes allowed the creation of Entertainment Districts, the remaining City Council role would be to pass a Resolution to authorize each unique proposed Entertainment District. Each Resolution which would specify the size (boundaries), hours of operation, and other reasonable restrictions for the specific district and neighborhood, and to which all future Promotional Association(s) within the named district must comply in the operation of any approved Common Consumption Area(s). In essence, the Resolution outlines the boundaries and allowed days and hours for any operations within the district, with future related Promotional Association applications being processed administratively through the City Clerk’s Office, as is the case for all liquor license applications, based on compliance with the City and State Liquor Code and Rules.
The Trolley District Entertainment District is the first Entertainment District to be proposed since the enabling legislation of September 2017, and meets the minimum statutory requirements for an Entertainment District, being less than 100 acres and comprising of at least 20,000 square feet of liquor licensed premises currently eligible for attachment to a Common Consumption Area.
Previous Council Action:
On September 12, 2017, City Council passed Ordinances and a Resolution to amend the City’s Liquor Code and Rules to enable and allow Entertainment Districts and related Promotional Associations with Common Consumption Areas.
Financial Implications:
N/A
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
Trolley District sponsor and representatives conducted meetings with City Council and various City staff members, and other downtown organizations such as Downtown Colorado Springs to discuss the proposed scope and intent for the Trolley District.
Alternatives:
Approve the Resolution or postpone the item for further changes or discussion.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Approve a Resolution creating the Trolley District Entertainment District.
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A