FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Restaurant Gets OK for 4 Pool Tables

The City Council has denied a neighbor’s appeal and given a restaurant owner approval to place four pool tables at his sports bar and eatery.

Resident Betty Mangold appealed to the council last week after the Planning Commission decided in May to allow four pool tables at the restaurant, in a shopping center at 17431 Brookhurst St.

Mangold also presented the commission with a petition signed by more than 100 residents protesting the plan.

Mangold told the council that the addition of the pool tables would add more traffic and parking problems at the adjacent apartment complex, where parking is already limited.

After lengthy discussion, the council voted 4 to 1 to allow the pool tables. However, the council majority added a condition that the city staff monitor the area for parking problems. If any problems occur, the property owner must take measures to correct them. Such measures could include posting signs or hiring a security guard.

Councilman John Collins, who cast the dissenting vote, said that he originally favored allowing only two pool tables. He proposed allowing the restaurant to add another table after a three-month review and the fourth table after another three-month review.

William Glarner, owner of the restaurant, which has not yet opened, said that he could not operate the business without the four pool tables.

Glarner said the addition of the pool tables would not create parking problems. He said the pool tables would encourage patrons to stay longer rather than bring more people into the establishment.

“We’re a family restaurant, a family bar, and we depend on families to do our business with,” he said.