Mama’s on 39 restaurant can feature live music, H.B. commission says

Mama’s on 39 restaurant in Huntington Beach won Planning Commission approval Tuesday to host live music.

The unanimous vote came two weeks after the commission postponed consideration of the conditional use permit so it could review a noise report and consider feedback from nearby residents who were concerned about potential noise.

The permit will allow the restaurant at 21022 Beach Blvd. to have a solo acoustic musician every day and a live band or disc jockey 12 times a year.

The Planning Commission’s decision is final unless appealed to the City Council.

Many commissioners expressed gratitude to the restaurant’s owner, Pete Truxaw, for listening to residents’ concerns and revising the proposal so noisier acts would be limited.

“Certainly the applicant, given the kinds of changes he’s made, indicates that he took those concerns to heart,” Commissioner John Scandura said. “It’s often said that City Hall never pays attention to its own people. I think this is a case where we truly did take the residents into account.”

Several members of the public attended the meeting to lend support to Mama’s.

Gary Hyatt, who lives across the street from the establishment, said Mama’s is a big improvement from when he moved into his home years ago and the restaurant’s land was vacant.

“Mama’s is probably the best example of what we want in a business in Huntington Beach,” Hyatt said.

Resident David Wetzel said Truxaw supports the community and that his request for live music is not unreasonable.

The noise report submitted to the commission was conducted by a sound engineer in December between 1:30 and 3 p.m. on Sunday, which the business said is its busiest time and day, according to a city staff report.

The engineer determined the sound wouldn’t disturb nearby businesses and residents, the report states.

But not everyone was swayed by the findings.

Resident Michelle Greco presented the commission with a petition signed by 28 residents who oppose the music permit. She said the noise could pose a nuisance for her young son.

However, Greco said she appreciated that the restaurant limited the noisier acts.

benjamin.brazil@latimes.com

Twitter:@benbrazilpilot