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Council President Rachel Miller (L) and Mayor Brett Smiley (right) are in favor of making changes to the city’s entertainment ordinance. PHOTO: City of Providence
A State Senator is calling the proposed changes to city entertainment regulations coming before the Providence City Council Ordinance Committee “shocking and appalling,” for what he says could be the impact on the Federal Hill neighborhood he represents.
Senator Sam Bell, who in 2024 when changes to the entertainment ordinance were first introduced said they would make problems on the Hill “way worse,” is criticizing the city’s latest efforts to loosen restrictions.
“I am truly shocked and appalled to see the latest version of this ordinance,” Bell told GoLocal in an interview. “The previous version was deeply problematic. This version is potentially even worse.”
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On Wednesday, the City Council Committee on Ordinances will consider draft changes to the entertainment ordinance.
The proposed changes include both allowing restaurants to obtain entertainment licenses to allow for DJs – and stripping temporary use permits from being evaluated on such criteria as “undue adverse impact” – including noise.
“[The ordinance changes] allow clubs to operate on a restaurant license with even more impunity than they have,” said Bell. “We’ve had huge problems with in effect ‘clubs’ that are operating off a restaurant license.”
Bell noted the recent episodes of violence on Federal Hill, including a stabbing that occurred after a fight broke out at a comedy show – at a restaurant.
“What I’m really concerned about is what goes on when we don’t have the level of regulation that comes with a nightclub license,” said Bell.
SEE MORE REPORTING ON PUBLIC SAFETY ON FEDERAL HILL – BELOW
“What is also very concerning is that they are not allowing noise to be used as a criterion and other adverse impacts to be used as a criterion for reviewing these events,” said Bell. “What they have done is they have taken the system that used to exist for approving an outdoor festival and they’ve allowed it to be used inside, indoors, including at bars and restaurants, and they have removed the protections that say that it has to be reviewed on the basis of noise and adverse impacts.”
City Leaders on Record
Both City Council President Rachel Miller – who is the sponsor of the ordinance changes – and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley say the updates are needed.
“I’m pleased the Committee on Ordinances will be hearing public comment on amendments that update an outdated ordinance. This ordinance allows for light incidental music at restaurants, while still holding establishments to the city’s noise ordinance,” said Miller. “Providence has incredible artists and musicians who can contribute to the atmosphere of a restaurant at a jazz brunch or evening out – making that experience even more special.”
Miller addressed why the proposed changes are now being taken up ten months after they were first broached in 2024.
“We paused previously to continue conversations with residents and neighbors, and now it’s past time to modernize our code and ensure establishments and diners alike can enjoy all that Providence has to offer,” she said.
Smiley said he was in support of the proposed measures.
“Since taking office, I have worked across departments to streamline processes to more effectively meet the evolving needs of our neighbors and local businesses,” said Smiley. “Over the past year we have incorporated feedback from business owners, community members, industry experts, City Council and the Providence Life at Night Taskforce to introduce these long overdue changes to the City’s entertainment ordinance to better support local artists and businesses, simplify permitting and more clearly define standards for both sound and hours of operation
Bell, however, said that he believes Miller’s proposed changes – as she represents Federal Hill – are a “betrayal of the neighborhood.”
“People have raised huge concerns about what is going on on Federal Hill, where we have violence and some awful violations going on at clubs that are operating on a restaurant license and I think it would be very, very damaging to the Federal Hill neighborhood,” said Bell.
“I think it is shocking that we would have someone involved in politics in our city who would think that it is okay to deregulate even further clubs, that are operating as nightclubs on a restaurant license, lafter we’ve had such terrible problems,” he added.
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