Hall County residents will soon have a new place to dance.
At Monday's Hall County Planning Commission meeting, an Athens Street business that now serves as a banquet hall asked to expand its use to include recreational and cultural uses.
Shy City Jazz Lounge, located near the intersection with Purina Drive, will feature a live jazz band 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
Business owner Melody Parrott plans to hold teen nights after football games in the fall and will also open up the hall for birthday parties, wedding receptions, baby showers, family reunions and fashion shows.
Several commission members expressed concerns about monitoring possible underage drinking and loitering in the parking lot.
"That concerns me greatly. I know teenagers and I know how we were," Walter Scott said. "If we wanted to go in some place that didn't allow drinking, we would go back out to the car and get another shooter and then go back inside."
The Rev. Anwann Hill, who represented Parrott, agreed security will be present at every event and a post-certified police officer will be present at events serving alcohol.
He also said staff members will clear out the parking lot by 2:30 a.m. after late events. The commission unanimously approved the dance hall.
"This fits into our highway-business zoning in that area, but this type of activity always breeds trouble, and we've seen it several times before," said Don Smallwood, planning commission chairman.
"Even if you have security, it's hard to police, but it comes under our comprehensive plan and is in the right place."
A dance hall use also requires two public hearings and business license approval from the Hall County Board of Commissioners, said planning director Randy Knighton.
"It must be approved on an annual basis, and the commissioners can place certain conditions on the business given their authority," he said. "If there is any violation of the zoning conditions, the license can be pulled."
In other business, the commission approved a day care center at Covenant Connections Church on Atlanta Highway in Flowery Branch. The center will provide child care for 150-175 children and employ 15-20 new workers, said W.L. Snead.
"There's a huge need for child care in this community, especially faith-based," he said. "We have a large building and already have a great youth program there with great staff."
Commission members raised questions about the fence around the church's playground, and Snead agreed gates will be locked at all times.
"This is good stuff. I don't see anything wrong with this request," Smallwood said. "The safety of the children is the main thing. But I know the people out there and what they're made of, so we won't have any problems I'm sure."