1901 Newport nightclub plan on hold

Lolita Harper

Developers danced around a looming denial of a nightclub proposal

Monday as they agreed to work with neighboring businesses and

residents to come up with a plan that may garner a Planning

Commission endorsement.

Planning commissioners voted 4 to 1 to postpone a decision on the

nightclub to allow developer Hunsaker and Associates and nightclub

owner James Raven a chance to devise a plan that incorporated more

input from neighboring businesses and residences and a detailed

parking plan.

Planning Commissioner and City Council candidate Bill Perkins

dissented, saying “what ifs” weren’t a good enough reason to deny a

request. He said “time was money” and the club owners should not have

to waste more of either to come back to another meeting.

Planning Commission Chair and City Council candidate Katrina Foley

disagreed.

“If we don’t give him the opportunity to buttress his arguments,

he may be wasting even more money,” Foley said.

The upscale club proposed for the basement portion of 1901 Newport

-- the Spanish-style building that sits across from Triangle Square

in the heart of downtown Costa Mesa -- would be about 11,000 square

feet and contain a dance floor, three bars and distinct lounge areas

surrounded by a typical nightclub setting. 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.

City planners recommended denying the nightclub proposal because

other area nightclubs have created substantial noise and trash

problems for surrounding residents. Officials were also concerned

about the concentration of liquor licenses around 19th Street and

Newport Boulevard.

The Yard House and Goat Hill Tavern, both popular bars, are across

the street from 1901 Newport, with one at Triangle Square and the

other just down Newport Boulevard, respectively.

Nightclub representatives refuted planning staff’s argument that

there are too many liquor licenses in the direct vicinity to

accommodate another. Raven said it was only logical to have bars and

nightclubs grouped together.

“Where else would you expect to find entertainment but Downtown?”

Raven asked.

Perkins addressed the issue of adequate security, especially in a

venue where alcohol is readily available.

Raven said security is largely based on the customers’ moods. It

is important to keep the clients happy, he said.

“Our patrons are happy and affluent,” Raven said.

When problems do arise, it is usually something nightclub

officials have no control over, such as a man seeing his

ex-girlfriend with another guy, Raven said. But even when those

conflicts arise, a team of well-trained security guards are on hand

to handle it.

Willa Bouwens-Killeen, the lead city planner on the project, said

the city was most concerned about the noise outside and how it might

bother the nearby homes.

“Even a car door slamming at 2 a.m. is noisy,” Bouwens-Killeen

said.

As a result, planning commissioners demanded a detailed parking

plan for the outdoor lots, which are closest to the residential area.

They also wanted specific valet parking designs and an agreement for

shared parking from neighboring businesses that also have nighttime

events, such as The Turnip Rose.

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

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