31A - CUP - 220 E FOUTH ST SUITE 102

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CUP Nos. 2012-11 & 2012-13 August 27, 2012 Page 2 The Playground restaurant would also like to be able to use the restaurant as a banquet hall in order to host private parties. This request is part of a larger project at the Playground, which includes a conditional use permit for a Type 47 alcohol license and to expand into the adjacent suite to enlarge the square footage of the existing restaurant by 1,002 square feet, as well as creating a 525 square foot outdoor dining area. The alcohol sales CUP was approved by the Zoning Administrator on August 15, 2012. Project Background The Playground is operated by one of the chefs who was the 2011 winner in the Great Food Truck Race television show, Jason Quinn. Jason and his father, Bob, opened up the Playground that same year. The Playground restaurant has proven to be very successful in the short time since its grand opening, and was named Orange County's Best New Restaurant of the Year in 2011. The number of patrons continues to grow, and they have found the need to expand by taking over the adjacent 1,002 square feet suite immediately south of their existing suite. They specialize in "small plate" meals. The after-hours and banquet conditional use permits would allow them to remain competitive with other restaurants in the area. General Plan and Zoning Consistency The General Plan land use designation for the site is District Center (DC). District Center land-use districts provide highly visible and accessible commercial development along the City's arterial transportation corridors and provide important neighborhood facilities and services, such as this restaurant. The project site is consistent with this General Plan land use designation. The parcel is located within the Transit Zoning Code (SD84)/Downtown (DT) zoning district. The SD84/DT zoning district allows for retail and service uses such as restaurants, making the proposed use consistent with the zoning designation. Project Analysis Conditional Use Permit requests are governed by Section 41-638 of the SAMC. Conditional Use Permit requests may be granted when it can be shown that the following can be established: • That the proposed use will provide a service or facility which will contribute to the general well being of the neighborhood or community. • That the proposed use will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the health, safety, or general welfare of persons residing or working in the vicinity. • That the proposed use adversely will not affect the present economic stability or future economic development of properties surrounding the area. 31A-5