Heretofore, the city’s zoning ordinance did not allow nightclubs as a permitted use in the Downtown Business B-3 Zoning District. City council last week opted, however, to allow nightclubs as a conditional B-3 use, by amending the city zoning ordinance.

In the amendment adopted March 18, “nightclub” is defined as “an establishment dispensing liquor and meals and in which music, dancing and entertainment is conducted.”

According to Planning Director Julie Kelly, allowing night club’s subject to conditional use permits will allow the Board of Adjustment to evaluate each potential club “on a case by case basis.”

The city’s Planning Board unanimously recommended the amendment after determining that each nightclub would be subject to a conditional use permit.

Last week’s action came after the city received a request from Lawrie Ira to allow a nightclub as either “a permitted, conditional or special use,” according to her application for a zoning ordinance amendment.

Ira told council that she and others have a “concept of opening an upscale, more grown-up nightclub,” in the building next to Vesuvio’s II. The building most recently was referred to as “The Festival House.”

Ira said the club would be open on either Thursday through Saturday nights or Friday and Saturday nights, likely from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m.

Ira noted that Vesuvio’s II is currently open until 10 p.m., but has agreed to provide a late night menu when the nightclub is open. That she said, would enable the club to offer a “dining and dancing experience.

“We look at it as a good way to use viable space,” Ira added.

Roxboro Uptown Development Corporation executive director Steve Joyner said RUDC’s board of directors had recently met and “voted to support [the nightclub] as a conditional use.

“We believe with the appropriate restrictions…it is the right way to go,” Joyner added.