Council approves design upgrades for Giggles Nightclub
Glendale City Council on Tuesday approved plans for a new facade at Giggles Nightclub and a variance to allow the business to use all of its space as a nightclub.
Under a Downtown Specific Plan approved by the Council in 2006, a nightclub cannot operate within the first 25 feet of tenant space fronting Brand Boulevard in the area surrounding the Alex Theatre.
City staff originally had placed a 10-year limit on the variance, but City Council members agreed that two five-year extensions should be added, provided there are no violations of the conditions outlined in the variance.
They said Giggles owner Garni Galoots has operated the business for 20 years and it has had a favorable economic impact on the downtown area. Therefore they felt comfortable giving him the extensions.
Galoots, who recently purchased the building where Giggles is located, told city staff that he wants to update the club’s look with a new facade which will include a large wood screen consisting of horizontal slats interspersed with LED light strips.
The staff-submitted variance included a condition prohibiting Giggles from “regularly” operating as a banquet facility, a condition City Manager Scott Ochoa said he felt was too vague.
Galoots said he occasionally does hold private functions at the club, located at 215 N. Brand Blvd.
As a result of Ochoa’s concerns, the City Council agreed to change the condition, stating that Galoots can hold four to six special events annually as long as he notifies the city.
