Council Considers Drinking Use Permits

Prompted by ongoing complaints about noise from a neighborhood sports bar, the City Council on Monday plans to look into requiring special use permits for drinking establishments.

The Tree House Sports Bar and Grill has quieted down considerably since late last year and earlier this year, when neighbors complained bitterly to police and city officials about a rise in younger, noisier club patrons at the Tapo Street bar.

Noise complaints to the police have declined substantially after the younger crowd--driven to the sports bar temporarily by renovations at another favorite hangout--returned to their old haunt, said Simi Valley Police Sgt. Greg Riegert.

But the City Council has already asked city planning staff to report Monday night on the possibility of creating a category called “drinking establishment” for certain businesses with liquor licenses, and requiring them to obtain special use permits.

The cities of Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and Ventura already require special use permits for drinking establishments, as does Ventura County, according to a city report.