Georgetown City Council voted 6-1 on Jan. 26 to approve the first readings of rezoning and amending a special use permit, or SUP, for The Union on Eighth event center.

Council Member Rachael Jonrowe voted against the changes.

City Council approved the SUP in April 2013 that allowed the event center to open adjacent to the Old Town neighborhood.

Josh Schroeder, an attorney representing The Union on Eighth said co-owner Justin Bohls had no plans to alter the business at this time.

“[Justin] would like to continue operating his business successfully without the interference that has occurred over the last two years due to the poorly written SUP,”  Schroeder said.

Schroeder said his clients had never violated the SUP and were seeking the changes to make the SUP restrictions more clear and enforceable.

“It’s about clarity and ease, but it’s all about the business owner,” Old Town Resident Pamela Mitchell said.

Of the SUP’s 19 original conditions 14 were amended, removed or consolidated.

Several Old Town residents spoke against the changes during the City Council meeting citing concerns about noise and parking.

“It’s about parking and noise,” Old Town resident Len Denton said. “I believe this can be worked out. … I believe the city could do something. … I think there is a solution to the noise problem.”

Other residents questioned the city’s enforcement of and the business’ compliance with the conditions.

“We already see a pattern of noncompliance by the applicant and nonenforcement by the city,” Old Town resident Ross Hunter said.

Schroeder said allegations the business owners have violated the SUP conditions in the past were false.

“Mr. Bohls has never violated the SUP,” he said. “To state differently is wrong.”

Some of the changes included removing requirements for additional noise dampening materials in the structure and amending the requirement for the business owner to be onsite for all events to allowing an authorized representative to be present in his or her place.

The changes will also allow for the construction of a 150-square-foot storage building and an 18-foot Airstream trailer to be located on the property.

The change will also amend a condition that no parking related to the event or office usage will be allowed on Myrtle Street and the adjacent residential area.

“As I understand it, the reason the applicant is asking to remove parking is because it’s a public street so there is not really a way to enforce it,” City Council Member Anna Eby said.

The language was amended to require guests be notified that parking was not allowed on Myrtle Street or the surrounding residential areas; however, if guests parked in those areas, the business would not be held accountable.

Because more than 20 percent of property owners within 200 feet of The Union on Eighth’s property objected to the changes, the changes needed six or more council votes to pass.