Tavern to Relocate to Hobie Building

After a lengthy and at times heated public hearing, the City Council this week passed a resolution that will allow a Dana Point tavern owner to move his business into the former Hobie Surfboards building on Pacific Coast Highway.

Terry Labourdette, owner of Wheels and Rudders Sports Pub, sought the city’s permission earlier this year to renovate the structure and add office and parking space on the property at 34195 Pacific Coast Highway, south of Lantern Bay Shopping Center.

In June, Labourdette won approval from the Dana Point Planning Commission, but some residents raised concerns about the project and appealed the decision to the council.

“I didn’t think it would take an act of Congress to move across the street,” said Labourdette, who now operates his pub at 34198 Pacific Coast Highway.

The residents’ concerns centered on whether the business at its new location would cause noise, safety and trash problems. They suggested that the owner obtain a restaurant and bar liquor license, which would require food sales to exceed alcohol sales.

Newport Beach resident Charles Wadsworth, who owns the adjacent building east of the site, said he feared that being next to a bar-only operation would cause his tenants to leave and would cost him money.

“Because of security problems and image problems . . . it would lower property values,” he told the council.

After hearing comments from residents and property owners, the council voted to allow Labourdette to renovate the Hobie building and operate with a bar-only liquor license, but with two dozen conditions attached, including limits on when live music can be offered.

Also, “if someone complains, you’ll find yourself under the magnifying glass,” Mayor Karen Lloreda cautioned Labourdette.