H.B. Planning Commission, with new member, to consider allowing Mama’s to have live music
A new member of the Huntington Beach Planning Commission has been named to replace planner Clem Dominguez, who died last month.
Councilman Erik Peterson recently appointed Alan Ray to the commission. Each City Council member appoints one commissioner to the seven-member, quasi-judicial body, according to the city’s website.
Ray’s first meeting will be Tuesday night, when the commission will consider a conditional use permit for a restaurant owner hoping to bring in live entertainment.
Dominguez took the seat in December after the resignation of Michael Hoskinson, who faced public backlash for comments he made online denigrating Islam.
Ray said Friday that he is looking forward to “making Huntington Beach the best place possible for residents.”
Ray had been serving on the city’s Investment Advisory Board, which advises the council and treasurer on investments and financial planning, according to the city’s website.
Ray, who has a background in finance, currently works as the chief financial officer for POPA Federal Credit Union, which provides financial services to Los Angeles County peace officers. Peterson said Ray’s analytical skills gleaned from his financial role makes him well-suited to serve on the commission.
Mama’s On 39
The Planning Commission on Tuesday will consider authorizing a conditional use permit for the Mama’s On 39 restaurant, at 21022 Beach Blvd., so the business can feature live musical performances.
The permit would allow Mama’s to have a solo acoustic musician, a live band with five members and a disc jockey, a staff report says. It adds that the restaurant would primarily feature a solo acoustic musician with only occasional appearances from larger bands and disc jockeys for special events like parties or reunions.
Noise should be limited since performances will not generally use electric instruments and all entertainment would be inside the restaurant, the report says.
Notices were mailed to nearby property owners, and as of Tuesday, staff had not received any complaints, the report says.
City staff is recommending that the commission approve the permit.
Twitter: @benbrazilpilot
