Rosemount now has a an ordinance regulating teen night clubs.

But it looks like the city won't need it, at least not for now.

Skylar Rekstad, the Rosemount resident who pitched the idea for the alcohol-free Solaris Nightclub in a currently vacant commercial space at South Robert Trail and W. 145th Street, is backing away from the project. If he opens a teen nightclub, it probably won't be in Rosemount.

"The risk factors imposed by this ordinance were simply too much for someone to attempt opening a business," Rekstad said. "As a business owner, you need to have a reasonable amount of assurance that your business will have and continue to have the right to operate."

The city began drafting the ordinance, which also applies to billiard halls and arcade parlors, when the proposal for Solaris Nightclub surfaced. The council approved it after more than two hours of discussion at a meeting this week.

City Attorney Charles LeFevere, addressing some of Rekstad's concerns that the ordinance's timing and aims seemed discriminatory toward teen clubs, explained that the city can and does regulate many types of businesses.

"This isn't unlawful discrimination," LeFevere said. "You don't have to treat all businesses equally because not all businesses represent the same concerns as far as public health, safety and welfare."

The ordinance is modeled after a liquor license, with a few variations, including lighting requirements and age limits for dance club patrons. It also requires dance clubs, billiard halls or arcades to deny entrance or remove anyone who appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Businesses that hold or seek liquor licenses but also have dances, billiards or arcade games would be exempt from the new ordinance.

A safe, alcohol-free club

Rekstad said he agrees in principle with many of the ordinance's safety-oriented goals. His plan for a teen nightclub was built on the premise of providing a safe, alcohol-free place for people ages 16 to 20 to gather. But the rules threaten the viability of the business, he said.

For example, he said, the ordinance allows the city council to review the business license after three police calls resulting in written reports in a 12-month period. That could almost immediately put the dance club's existence in jeopardy, Rekstad said, because he would call the police as needed, especially at first, to send a clear message that alcohol and inappropriate behavior are not permitted.

Council members and city employees discussed many of Rekstad's concerns at the meeting, including an unusual dais discussion of whether grinding and other types of dancing would violate the ordinance's prohibition of sexual conduct. (The conclusion: Use discretion and common sense.)

Council Member Kim Shoe-Corrigan thanked Rekstad for his involvement in drafting the ordinance and reiterated that the council was trying to set rules, not single out his business.

"I would say that from the many ordinances we've seen over the years, this seems pretty typical of all our ordinances," Shoe-Corrigan said. "The language is there to protect the citizens and the city itself."

Katie Humphrey • 952-882-9056