West Valley rethinking zoning for concert venues

WEST VALLEY CITY — The West Valley City Council, in a unanimous vote, agreed Tuesday to place a six-month moratorium on new business licenses and zoning changes for private clubs, reception centers and recreational venues where beer is sold.

City officials plan to use the time to figure out how to keep the businesses from operating as concert venues.

The moratorium was recommended by city staff as a result of complaints that large concerts were occurring at businesses not licensed or zoned for them.

Events at restaurant/reception centers have been the subject of recent building- and fire-code violations, police calls, parking problems and noise complaints from neighbors.

City staff has recommended that such businesses be restricted to manufacturing zones and that they be at least 1,000 feet away from residential areas.