The Central City Council had a busy agenda at their August 6, 2024, meeting. There was a Central City Urban Renewal Authority meeting, a city council work session, and the formal city county meeting which included a crucial vote by the Board of Adjustments whether to affirm an administrative staff decision to deny a sexually oriented business (SOB) license for 130 Main Street that is owned by RCI Hospitality.

Mayor Jeremy Fey presided over the council meeting and work session but recused himself from several votes because of a potential conflict of interest. Mayor Pro-Tem Kara Tinucci recused herself from the Board of Adjustments vote. Aldermen Jeff Aiken, Marcia Enloe, and Todd Williams voted on all the ordinances and resolutions including the Board of Adjustments vote.

The evening started with a Central City Urban Renewal Authority (CCURA) board meeting, which approved a resolution for authorizing negotiations for the acquisition of 331 Gregory Street and the use of eminent domain in accordance with Urban Renewal law to deal with blight and historic preservation.

Afterwards, a short work session was held to consider options for the location of sexually oriented businesses within the city limits. The discussion resulted in directions to the City Attorney to develop language for a ballot issue to present to voters in the November general election. Council will review the ballot language at the August 20 meeting.

Mary Ann Youthas from Main Street Central City spoke during the work session about a new event called Central City Spooktacular that will be held on Main Street in October leading up to Halloween. They will be family-oriented affairs with events and treats for all ages.

The main meeting started with a unanimous vote to approve Resolution 24-24, an IGA with Gilpin County for a coordinated election for the November election.

The Council unanimously approved Central City Promise Program requests from Sarah Lovett and Ashley Blondo for secondary education assistance. Both Lovett and Blondo were at the meeting and thanked them for the financial assistance.

The meeting proceeded to consideration of Ordinance 24-04, annexing about eight acres of City-owned real property commonly known as the Boodle Mill. Annexation and zoning of this property should have been done earlier, as it is surrounded by land that has already been annexed. The ordinance was unanimously approved on first reading with Fey recusing himself.

Ordinance 24-05 allowed for the zoning of 13 acres around the Boodle Mine as Limited Community Commercial. Fey also recused himself from this vote. The ordinance was unanimously approved on first reading.

Both ordinances will be on the August 20 agenda for a second reading and final approval pending recommendations from the Central City Planning Commission, which met on August 7 to consider the matter.

Resolution No 24-25 ratified the use of eminent domain by the City of Central Urban Renewal Authority. City Manager Daniel Miera stated that the resolution would help with controlling blighted and abandoned properties.

The Board of Adjustments was convened to consider an appeal by RCI Hospitality regarding a decision by administrative staff to deny an SOB license to RCI for their property at 130 Main Street. Both Fey and Tinucci recused themselves from this proceeding. The license was denied based on the property failing to meet distance criteria regarding residences and places of assembly.

The Adjustment Board had the option to affirm, reverse, or modify the decision by administrative staff.

During public comments before the vote, Eric Langan, the President and CEO of RCI Hospitality, commented on his investments in Central City and his efforts to revive long vacant properties.

The many public comments for affirming the decision to deny the license stressed that they didn’t want an SOB on Main Street because it didn’t fit with the character of the historic district or the town. It was inappropriate to locate such a business so close to nearby places of assembly and would attract an undesirable clientele.

The few public comments to reverse the decision had concerns about costly litigation, economic stagnation, and the exaggerations about the consequences of allowing a NASDAQ-listed company to operate in town.

Council, after listening to all the public comments, voted unanimously to affirm the decision to deny the license based on the distance criteria.

Mayor Fey wrapped up the meeting by thanking the residents for their passion and participation. Alderman Williams said that the council was listening to the citizens. Alderman Aiken said that it was not an easy night and asked that everyone be civil with one another.

The next Council meeting will be on August 20, 2024, when they will consider the recommendations by the Planning Commission on changing zoning regulations for SOBs and zoning recommendations for the Boodle property. Visit the city website (centralcity.colorado. gov) for more information about the next meeting.