ON THE AGENDA NIGHTCLUB Despite a...

ON THE AGENDA

NIGHTCLUB

Despite a second chance to prove to city officials that another

nightclub would work in the heart of downtown, city planners do not

support approval of the project Monday because it lacks available

parking.

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.

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.

Raven and his associates came back to the city with a combination

of valet and self parking for a lot they would share with Turnip Rose

banquet facility. According to a staff report, both venues would

require 528 parking spaces. While Raven’s parking plan can

accommodate that many cars, many of the spaces are designated for

valet and leave only 139 for self parking. Turnip Rose officials told

city planners their patrons are not required to valet and,

potentially, the banquet customers could fill 125 of the self parking

spaces, leaving only 14 for the nightclub.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Planning commissioners are expected to deny the application.

MORE NIGHTLIFE

Just a block away from the proposed nightclub, the owners of

Player’s Pizza are also asking the Planning Commission to approve a

permit to offer live entertainment and stay open until 2 a.m., staff

reports read.

Andrew Lee, who owns 512 W. 19th St., is requesting permission to

extend his operating hours from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week.

Lee would also like to hire a maximum four-person band to entertain

his customers Thursday through Sunday.

City planners outlined concerns with the late-night hours in a

staff report. Because Player’s Pizza is less than 200 feet away from

neighboring homes, planners said they were concerned with the

potential noise. Staffers recommended a midnight closing time, with

the additional live entertainment.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Planning commissioners are expected to deny the request.

-- Compiled by

Lolita Harper