HUNTINGTON BEACH : City OKs Extended Restaurant Hours

After prolonged debate and testimony from 24 residents, the City Council this week agreed to a compromise in allowing a downtown restaurant to extend its operating hours and have more live music.

The issue, affecting Niccole’s Ristorante at 5220 Main St., drew opposition from some residents who live near the restaurant. They told the City Council on Monday night that longer restaurant hours would mean more noise and parking problems around their homes.

But supporters of the new restaurant urged the council to grant the later hours, saying the city needs an “upscale” dining place with longer operating hours for downtown visitors.

Ultimately, the council voted for a compromise. Instead of allowing the restaurant to operate on Fridays and Saturdays until 2 a.m., as the Planning Commission had recommended, the City Council limited Friday and Saturday hours to 1 a.m. The council limited the restaurant’s Sunday-through-Thursday hours to 11 p.m.

The council also rejected the Planning Commission’s recommendation that the restaurant be allowed to have a small dancing area. The council, however, supported the recommendation to allow more musicians.

The council said the restaurant’s longer hours will be reviewed after three months to see if any problems have surfaced.

Councilwoman Grace Winchell and Mayor Peter M. Green initially asked for no increase in the restaurant’s operating hours. They were voted down 5 to 2. On the final vote, Green and Winchell supported the compromise. Councilmen Jack Kelly and Earle Robitaille opposed the compromise, saying they favored the original recommendations of the Planning Commission. The compromise passed by a 5-2 vote.