SR-402-004 (3)
PCD:SF:JT:AS:JL:f:\plan\share\pc\strpt\99cup045supp.doc Santa Monica, California
Planning Commission Mtg: May 17, 2000
TO: The Honorable Planning Commission
FROM: Planning Staff
SUBJECT: Supplemental Staff Report for Conditional Use Permit 99-045 (Item 7-B)
Address: 814 Broadway, Club Sugar
Applicant: Suite Events, LLC
Property Owner: Kayvan Naimi
Action: Consideration of staff response to applicant’s letter regarding conditions of
approval.
Staff has reviewed the attached correspondence and has the following comments
regarding the applicant’s proposed modifications to the conditions of approval.
Sound Mitigation
The applicant proposes the inclusion of an additional condition that would supercede
conditions numbered 11, 12, 13 and 14 in the staff report pertaining to physical sound
mitigating improvement to the existing structure. The intent of this proposed condition is
to allow an opportunity for an alternative other than the one proposed in the staff report.
If submitted, the alternative plan would be subject to the review and approval of the
City’s Noise consultant.
Staff is concerned that the proposed modification undermines the analysis prepared by
the City’s noise consultant who evaluated the site and recommended noise conditions
at the club based upon operating conditions and existing site improvements. Based
upon that study, the consultant prepared a report and identified specific
recommendations that could be implemented to mitigate the noise emanating from the
site. Staff recommends the Planning Commission retain conditions 11 through 14 as
stated in the staff report.
Hours of Operation / Uniformed Security Guards
The applicant requests eight (8) additional conditions that would replace condition
number 22 in the staff report. Condition 22 restricts the hours of operation from 10:00am
to Midnight Sunday through Thursday and 10:00am to 2:00am on Friday and Saturday
night. This condition further prohibits the sale of alcohol past 1:30am on Friday and
Saturday and prohibits ‘after hour’ events.
Conditions numbered 19 and 24 are also potentially impacted by the proposed new
conditions. Although it was not requested that these conditions be removed, the
proposed language relates and somewhat modifies the conditions recommended by
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staff. Specifically, proposed modification A on page 2 of the applicant’s letter relates to
the activity and hours of the security guards; and proposed conditions B and G (page 3)
relate to crowd dispersal and maintaining the property clear of litter. Proposed
conditions C through F are good operational conditions that the Planning Commission
may want to consider as supplemental conditions, but they do not impact the staff
recommended conditions.
As proposed, the applicant requests approval to maintain club operation until 2:00am
seven days a week. The conditions would also allow security guards to only be present
during club hours, permit alcohol sales until 2:00am, allow ‘after hours’ events subject to
city approval and would not establish a complete closure clause in the conditions of
approval.
Staff does not support the applicant’s request to delete condition 22 and further does
not support proposed conditions A, B, G and H. Staff does support a modification to
Condition 19 eliminating the exact start time security guards shall be present (for such
cases where the club opens after 8:00pm), but also extending the hours to ensure club
patrons have completely dispersed. A revised condition 22 may include the following:
Two uniformed security guards shall be present at all times when the club is in
operation and shall remain on site for at least 15 minutes after the club has closed.
Free Valet Parking
The applicant requests modification to this condition for economic and operational
reasons as detailed in the attached letter. As indicated in the report to the Planning
Commission, disturbances related to patrons, parking, starting and gathering around
vehicles during club hours has been a problem that staff believes will be further
exacerbated with the issuance of the Type 48 alcohol license. To mitigate these
impacts, staff encourages the retention of this condition to minimize the intrusion of club
patrons into the adjacent residential neighborhoods. Operational conditions identified by
the applicant can be addressed through proper management of the valet program and a
validation program to prevent adjacent commercial uses from using the valet service. To
address the congregation, or outflow of patrons in the late evening hours, staff
recommends that the Planning Commission consider the following modification to
condition 21 to include a maximum wait time for patrons waiting for their vehicles:
The applicant shall make available a free valet parking service to all customers, during
all hours of operation. The applicant shall encourage patrons to use the valet service
and discourage patrons from parking on Lincoln Court or in adjacent residential
neighborhoods. The valet parking plan shall provide pick up and drop off service from
Broadway and shall discourage the use of the alley, subject to the review and approval
by the Transportation Management and Planning Divisions. Patrons shall not have to
wait longer than five (5) minutes for vehicle pick up. A clearly legible and appropriately
sized sign shall be posted on the wall inside vestibule 1 near the cashier’s window
informing patrons of the free valet parking service.
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Name of Events
This modification to Condition 20 is an attempt to clarify permitted advertising for the
establishment. Staff feels that the applicant’s suggested marketing of the club, as
indicated in the letter, is consistent with this condition and therefore does not warrant
modification. The intent of this standard condition is to prevent other entities from
renting the club who may not be aware of, or have a vested interest in complying with,
the conditions of approval. Further, promotional events tend to attract larger crowds that
may disrupt adjacent land uses. Provided the premises are not leased, rented or
otherwise under the control of another entity, the marketing technique stated in the
attached letter will not be in conflict with this condition.
Prohibiting Sale of Alcohol to Minors
The applicant requests the elimination of Conditions numbered 29 and 30, as they are
perceived as redundant to condition number 28. The latter condition restricts entry into
the club to persons under 21 years of age. Conditions 29 and 30 are standard
conditions and relatively innocuous, but staff would not object to deleting condition
number 30. Condition 29 should be retained to ensure alcohol beverages are clearly
identified.
Refuse and Recycling
The difference between the applicant’s request and the staff recommended condition
concerns the requirement for refuse collection on the following day after the nightclub is
in operation. Given that there is no refuse collection area available on-site, staff
recommends that this condition be retained unmodified.
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