Commission to consider nightclub

Lolita Harper

Developers are looking to infuse some night life in the landmark

building on the corner of Newport Boulevard and 19th Street as they

plan to ask the Planning Commission tonight to consider a dance club

for an older, more affluent crowd.

Hunsaker and Associates is seeking Planning Commission endorsement

of an upscale night club for the basement portion of 1901 Newport,

the Spanish-style building that sits directly across from Triangle

Square in the heart of downtown Costa Mesa.

The proposed club would be about 11,000 square feet and contain a

dance floor, three bars and distinct lounge areas surrounded by a

typical nightclub setting, a staff report reads. It is designed to

entertain about 800 people between the hours of 5 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The

existing loading dock for the lower portion of the building would be

converted into an entrance, with an outdoor lounge area and 12

tables.

While planning staff have recommended the commission deny the

project, planning commissioners said Friday they have not made any

initial judgments about the project. Commissioner Bruce Garlich said

he had just read his report and had no comment. Veteran commissioner

Walt Davenport said he was “a long way away from any kind of

conclusion on it.”

Davenport said there are potential parking issues and a potential

effect on surrounding residential units. Although there are few homes

in the direct area, the idea of condominiums on the site has been

suggested and seriously considered in previous discussions for 1901

Newport. Future homeowners may take issue with a large nightclub next

door, Davenport said.

Other area nightclubs have created substantial problems with noise

and trash for surrounding residents even when separated by large

parking lots, streets and even other property, the staff report

notes.

According to letters submitted to the city by executive director

Ernie Schneider, the club’s target market would be 25- to

45-year-old, affluent professionals from Costa Mesa, Newport Beach

and Irvine. Club owners carefully plan the required cover charge,

dress code, music selection and marketing tools to make sure it does

not attract undesired clientele, the letter reads.

Music would consist of light jazz and some 80’s one-hit wonders in

the earlier hours and progress in tempo and bass in the later hours,

ending with trance and electronica anthems. The club does not play

Hip Hop, Schneider stressed, and without it, the club would not

appeal to the “MTV demographic.”

“Our music play list is very carefully articulated to appeal only

to our target demographic,” the letter read. “Patrons outside our

target market are not familiar with it and therefore we don’t provide

an atmosphere that is comfortable for them.”

Westside resident Kathleen Eric said she was excited about the

entertainment venue, after learning about the possibility at the

Planning Commission study session last week.

“I am glad they are finally thinking about places for people my

age to go,” Eric said.

* LOLITA HARPER covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at lolita.harper@latimes.com.