Proposed Ordinance Tweak Withdrawn Regarding Indoor Amusements

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Plans to alter town ordinances to aid indoor recreation and amusement facilities are on hold after the applicant withdrew its request for the changes the same day the West Hartford Town Council was slated to take up the issue.

Blue Back Capital Partners LLC, which owns Blue Back Square in town, was seeking revisions to the West Hartford Code of Ordinances that would allow such facilities to remain open longer; operate under a café liquor permit; and restrict access based on age.

But on Sept. 13, the same day the West Hartford Town Council was slated to address the matter, officials announced Blue Back had withdrawn its application.

Attorneys representing Blue Back could not be reached for comment, but withdrawals don't necessarily mean a proposal is dead and a party can always re-submit applications to the town.

According to the withdrawal letter, Blue Back is seeking more time to mull over its plans relative to the language of the proposed zoning change regulations.

It plans to go over those changes with a town advisory committee that handles economic development matters.

"The applicant believes the application will benefit from additional time to consider the broader implications of the language of the text beyond the applicant's immediate tenant-oriented requirements," wrote a letter from Blue Back attorney Robin Messier Pearson to the council.

"To that end, the applicant would like the opportunity to review the proposed text changes with the community planning and economic development committee before submission and presentation to the town council."

Proposed rules had called for the allowance of indoor recreation facilities to be open until 1 a.m. three nights a week; be permitted to serve alcohol with a café permit; and be able to restrict clientele based on age.

The proposed changes would only be for operations larger than 15,000 square feet, which appear to focus on large indoor adult amusement operations such as Dave & Buster's and other similar establishments.

According to Pearson, the changing retail climate had Blue Back seeking such indoor amusement regulation changes.

"The retail business is changing with less need for pure retail space ... and a real need to provide different types of venues to entice person to visit the center of West Hartford, in addition to the existing draw of office, medical and restaurant used," wrote Pearson to the town.

The council was prepared to vote on ordinance revisions for such uses, citing "the viability of traditional retail facilities is becoming more tenuous while dining out combined with indoor entertainment games of skill or scoring, including miniature golf are becoming extremely popular for small-party socializing and larger, corporate team-building events."

For the minutes of the Sept. 13 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.

For the information packet regarding the Sept. 13 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.