10-15-1973 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PUBLIC HEARING The Mayor opened the APPEAL ~323 public hearing on Appeal HARLEQUIN DINNER PLAYHOUSE #323 filed by Harlequin Dinner Playhouse appeal- ing the Planning Commission's denial of CUP 73-13 to convert an existing warehouse to a combination restaurant and commercial theater in the M 1 zone at 3503 Harbor Boulevard. The Planning Director summarized the Planning Commission's Findings of Fact dated September 24, 1973. The Clerk reported there were no written communications. Robert Kendall, 1209 Keel Drive, Corona Del Mar, spoke on behalf of the appellant stating that the theaters in the area referred to in the Planning Commission's Findings were movie theaters and markedly different from appellant's proposed establishment which was a dinner playhouse similar in most respects to other major dinner houses in the area, the only significant difference being the entertainment; that the proposed establishment would provide a service for the immediate community or neighborhood in that it would provide a businessman's buffet during the noon hour and quality dinners in the evening for local businessmen; that there was a proposed ten-year lease on the warehouse with a nine-year option; that one of the prime concerns of the landlord was the fact that the facility could be converted back to com- mercial use if necessary; that there was a considerable amount of unrented warehouse space in the area; that if the proposed loca- tion were used as a warehouse there would be no revenues whereas the proposed establishment would produce between $25,000 and $30,000 in revenues for the City; that if the appellant wanted only a restaurant in the facility, it would be permitted without a conditional use permit, as was the case with Lorenzo's, also in an M 1 zone. Mr. Kendall filed with the Clerk a petition to the City Council and a copy of a petition to the Planning Commission bearing a total of approximately 350 signatures. Councilman Evans' motion to receive and file the petitions was seconded by Councilman Yamamoto, and unanimously carried. Prior to voting, the Clerk read the heading of the petition to Council as follows: "Dear Sirs, We the undersigned do approve and strongly urge the City Council of Santa Ana to approve plans for the 'Harlequin Dinner Playhouse'. We feel that this will be a vital asset to this city, it will also be of great cultural value to the entire county. We would keep the revenue here rather than having to take it into other cities which we must do now to get this type of entertainment." Mr. Kendall introduced Mr. and Mrs. A1 Hampton, 16630 Townhouse Drive, Tustin, principle owners of the playhouse, to describe the proposed operation. Mr. Hampton stated that he had been in the entertainment business for fifteen years and had been in the restaurant and cocktail lounge business; that they planned to employ youths from the local colleges who had an interest in theater; that he considered the establishment to be 2/3 restaurant and 1/3 theater and that they were in the process of hiring a very capable gourmet chef; that it would be an equity theater and that the entertainment would consist of shows that had proven themselves on the road in other equity playhouses. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 383 OCTOBER 15, 1973