Henderson council rescinds ban on teen dance halls, nightclubs

No teenagers stood up and danced after Tuesday night's vote, but they could have now that Henderson has abandoned its ban on teen nightclubs and dance halls.

City Council members approved lifting the 9-month-old ban, opting instead to regulate dancing establishments that cater to teens.

Under the new rules, teen nightclubs and dance halls will be required to get both a city business license and a conditional use permit that restricts them from being open after 10 p.m. on a school night or midnight any other night.

Council members also approved zoning restrictions that prohibit teen nightclubs from opening within 2,000 feet of each other or within 1,000 feet of a school, park, library, tavern, liquor store or smoke shop.

The new zoning rules would not apply to the city's only existing club, Frozen 75, which is next door to one of the valley's largest liquor stores on Sunset Road, between Green Valley Parkway and Mountain Vista Street.

However, Frozen 75 will be subject to the new operational restrictions, which are similar to those enforced by Clark County and the city of Las Vegas.

Citing safety and law enforcement concerns, the city banned dance clubs catering to teenagers on April 1.

Frozen 75 was exempt from the ban, but its owners still criticized the move, as did a small group of teens, parents and civil libertarians.

Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean @reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350.