New alcohol permits approved for Waterside

NORFOLK

City permits allowing restaurants at Waterside to serve alcohol, known as special exceptions, were unanimously passed without debate Thursday by the Planning Commission.

Since Waterside opened in 1983, all of the restaurants have been operating with a blanket special exception. But because of recent problems at the downtown waterfront marketplace, city officials are seeking to have each restaurant individually licensed.

Once the special exceptions are approved by the City Council, expected to occur in mid-July, it will be easier for Norfolk officials to enforce rules for operating hours, restaurant capacity and other Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control rules.

City leaders turned their attention to Waterside after a man was killed and another wounded during a shooting in March in the Waterside parking garage.

Police reported that, in the year before the shooting, there were 258 calls for service at Waterside.

The city's Bar Task Force, composed of police, fire and other city officials, found several violations at Waterside restaurants during an inspection this spring.

City officials are in the process of refurbishing much of the first floor of Waterside and plan to bring family-friendly entertainment there this summer.

The restaurants affected include Joe's Crab Shack, Hooters, Outback Steakhouse, Jillian's, Bar Norfolk and Have a Nice Day Cafe.

Planning Director Frank Duke said the operating hours for the restaurants will not change.

Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com