Panel backs club-license proposal

A proposal requiring Seattle nightclubs to have a special club license passed a key hurdle Thursday evening when a City Council committee approved it on a 2-1 vote.

Council members Sally Clark and Jan Drago voted for its passage, and Richard McIver voted against it.

The proposal now goes to the full council, which could vote as early as Sept. 17.

Neighborhood activists said they were confident a majority of the council would approve a licensing requirement, while the nightlife industry's lobbyist said it was too close to call.

"It's a sloppy ordinance," said Tim Hatley, a lobbyist for Seattle Nightlife and Music Association. "Obviously our concerns were totally dismissed by the committee."

For months, bar owners, neighborhood groups and city officials have been at odds over how far the city should go in regulating nightclubs. The controversy intensified in July when a bystander was wounded by gunfire down the street from a Belltown club at closing time.

In November, Mayor Greg Nickels unveiled a proposed enforcement ordinance that would have affected about 300 businesses. The council viewed it as too harsh or ineffective.

Earlier this week, the council unanimously passed legislation developed by Clark's economic development and neighborhoods committee.

That legislation supports funding for a nightlife enforcement team, enables the city to go after businesses that repeatedly exceed their occupancy limits and requires large nightclubs to file annual security plans with the city.

Thursday night, two tearful women told the committee they were assaulted in a Belltown nightclub on Saturday night by three other women, and that the club staff did not help or call 911. The mayor's office, which they contacted for assistance, encouraged them to attend the meeting. The women — one of whom said she suffered a concussion, while the other broke a tooth — filed a police report Monday.

Under the committee's proposal, businesses would be required to apply for a nightclub license if they serve liquor after 10 p.m., charge patrons admission, make most of their money from liquor sales and have a capacity of 200 or more. The ordinance would affect fewer than 100 businesses, officials said.

Licensees would face gradually stepped-up penalties if they fail to take "reasonable measures" to prevent violent crime on their premises. With the first violation, the business would get a warning. A second violation within 18 months would earn a seven-day suspension; a third violation in that time, a 30-day suspension; and a fourth violation, loss of the nightclub license.

The city would have to show substantial evidence that the club should have its license suspended or revoked.

Also under the council's proposal, a commission made up of residents, club owners and other appointees could recommend that an offending club's nightclub license be suspended, revoked or not renewed.

Sanjay Bhatt: 206-464-3103 or sbhatt@seattletimes.com