INSIDE CITY HALL Here are some of...

INSIDE CITY HALL

Here are some of the items the council discussed Tuesday.

NIGHTCLUB APPEAL

The council unanimously rejected an appeal of the Planning

Commission’s denial of a request to operate live entertainment and

dancing between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. at Josh Slocum’s Dinner and Supper

Club, 2601 W. Coast Highway.

The effort by Josh Slocum’s to get a permit for live entertainment

and dancing came out of a settlement agreement that attempted to

resolve a lawsuit the city filed against the restaurant, Councilman

Steve Rosansky said.

As part of the settlement agreement, the restaurant experimented

with live bands, but neighbors complained about noise, and the Police

Department was concerned any increase in the intensity of use would

result in more demand for police resources.

WHAT IT MEANS

The two sides may well end up back in court, Rosansky said.

VOTE

7-0

APPEALS AND CALLS FOR REVIEW

The council changed the city code to require a simple majority

vote of the council to initiate an appeal of decisions made by the

planning director, the Planning Commission and the Modifications

Committee, a staff committee that has decision-making authority over

minor zoning-code issues.

Councilmen John Heffernan, Steve Rosansky and Dick Nichols

dissented.

The change to the code also deletes the term “review,” so all

issues given a second look will now be called “appeals” to reduce

confusion.

WHAT IT MEANS

The council must re-approve the law during a second reading. It

will then go into effect.

VOTE

4-3

REPLACING GARY ADAMS

The council set a deadline of noon on Sept. 9 for all applications

to be in for the seat Councilman Gary Adams is vacating on Sept. 1.

The council also set a special meeting date of Sept. 21 to interview

applicants and is planning on voting to appoint one at that meeting.

Adams is leaving the council to accept a job promotion and move to

Washington, D.C.