Restaurant’s Musical Menu to Be Reviewed by Council

A recent ruling to let Music City, a restaurant and bar, offer any type of entertainment it chooses will be reviewed by the City Council today.

Police have responded to several recent disturbances at the club, and nearby residents have complained about loud music.

City officials earlier this year considered limiting the club’s entertainment to pop, swing, rock and disco bands, and prohibiting heavy metal, punk and rap groups. They also debated to limit hours of operation to midnight on weeknights.

The Planning Commission, however, voted to allow the business at 18774 Brookhurst St. to remain open until 2 a.m. daily and not to regulate the music format.

Complaints since then prompted the council to review the situation. Planning Services Manager Andrew Perea said that, if the council decides Tuesday to challenge the Planning Commission’s decision, a public hearing will be set for Aug. 6.

The commission did approve modifications to the restaurant’s permit in an attempt to keep noise levels down and ward off potential problems. Conditions included closing the back doors by 10 p.m., soundproofing the club and posting a security guard in the parking lot on weekend nights and for special events.

Since October 1992, police have been called to the club 32 times, city officials said. Many of the calls were prompted by customers drunk in public or fights, officials said.

Mel Kooyumjian, a Music City shareholder and officer, said he would not object to offering only rock, pop and swing music.

By agreeing to the modified permit conditions, he said, “I hope this will prove positive for both our neighbors, the community and the restaurant.”