A use permit was recently approved to allow entertainment such as singing, stand-up comedy, a DJ and trivia/games at Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown.
The Tempe Development Review Commission voted unanimously Oct. 8 to approve the permit for the hotel at 108 E. University Drive.
Canopy Tempe is an existing hotel and mixed-use development with a rooftop pool, restaurant and bar, Project Planner Lucas Jensen wrote in a memo to the commission.
“The applicant’s letter of explanation details karaoke, trivia/games, stand-up comedy and live DJ in the lobby of the hotel and rooftop area of the hotel as part of this use permit request,” it states. “The business was cited by code compliance for hosting live entertainment without a use permit on May 20, 2024. Since the violation, the business has ceased operations of live entertainment and the violation has been closed. The approval of this use permit would allow live entertainment in compliance with the zoning and development code.”
The applicant is Jake Rodriguez.
The Canopy Hotel has been in operation since 2020. Its restaurants and pool deck are open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week for lunch and dinner service, wrote Rodriguez, Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown general manager, in a letter of explanation.
“The property would like to offer live music in its restaurant/public spaces/pool deck within business hours,” it states. “The hotel venues that may have live performances would be the first-floor lobby and restaurant, the 14th floor lounge and 14th floor rooftop pool deck.”
The hotel would not be selling tickets to attend the programming and would only be playing to its customers, it states.
The Tempe Development Review Commission holds public meetings and hearings to provide analysis and recommendations to the City Council regarding general land use policies and applications. It renders final decisions on applications where the commission has final decision-making power, including, but not limited to, all aspects of a proposed and future development. The commission carries out the provisions and intent of the general plan and the zoning and development code, according to the city’s website.
Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Richard Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions.
Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.
Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.
Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.
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