The back patio of the new gastropub planned at 8934-8940 Santa Monica Blvd. in the Boystown section of West Hollywood by Abbey owner David Cooley must be 50 percent smaller according to ruling made by the city’s Planning Commission Thursday night.
After a meeting lasting more than three and a half hours, the commission voted 6-1 to require that the depth of the proposed 2,900 square foot patio overlooking West Hollywood Park be reduced 50 percent.
Commissioner Marc Yeber said he was concerned about the effect that a restaurant serving alcohol that overlooked the park would have on park goers, especially children. Similar concerns were expressed by nearly half of the 31 people who commented to the commission about Cooleys. Yeber was especially concerned how the restaurant, the first commercial establishment to open onto the park, might affect the upcoming $80 million Phase II of the park’s renovations.
“I’m not comfortable with the open patio until we understand its relationship to the park,” he said. Yeber also demanded the patio be fully enclosed to shield park users from its noise.
The rest of the commission opted for a retractable roof instead. Yeber, unhappy with the retractable roof, then voted against the item.
Alfredo Diaz, owner of the Revolver video bar at 8851 Santa Monica Blvd. at Larrabee Street, brought the matter before the commission, appealing a December ruling approving Cooley’s restaurant made by the Community Development Director. However the commission did not grant Diaz’ request to rescind the permit that would allow construction of Cooleys.
Diaz is not yet sure whether he will appeal the Planning Commission’s ruling to the City Council.
“We needed to have a vigorous open public debate about this,” he said. “This shouldn’t be a scenario where the architects design our $80 million park around a developer. It should be the other way around.”
Cooley also is not sure whether he will appeal the ruling.
“They’re going to figure our their options and figure out what happens next,” Brian Rossman, spokesperson for Cooley told WEHOville. “We’re genuinely pleased that the commissioners supported their project.”
the comments supporting Cooleys largely centered around the park view, watching kids play, etc.
Get a clue people. Has anyone actually visited the site ? There is a fence that is being filled with greenery a row of sycamore trees before the designated. One cannot view the kids from this space.
I do not think it attractive to walk in the park with the prospect of noise emanating from a bar/restaurant.
KUDOS to Alfredo !
This is really too bad! I’ve often thought about how much of a waste it is to have the ugly back alley-side of the buildings along the park. It seems that it would be so much more cosmopolitan to integrate classy, well designed patios opening out onto the park — bringing the enjoyment of the open space (if even just the view) to far more people than just the park visitors themselves. Plus, I believe this type of integration would benefit the park as well — it would make it feel more vibrant and it could even have the effect… Read more »
No issue with businesses. But I lived at Robertson and Melrose for 18 years, lots on Robertson changed for the better but lots for the worse. You literally cannot navigate these narrow sidewalks when lines form outside the Abbey, Here and across the street. I remember tg Abbey wss supposed to be setback, so their lines wouldn’t be on the sidewalk. Guess what happened? The velvet roles took over and we walk in the street. Businesses can’t take over the neighborhood. Coexist.
Thanks SL for also bringing up the fact that this patio is going to be constructed behind the basketball courts, it is not like this patio is going to be encroaching on the tiny tots sandbox. It is on the far edge of the park where currently a homeless man (often shirtless) is camped out most days on a small grassy knoll watching various men playing basketball (often shirtless). Won’t anybody think of the children?!
What! Worried about children? This is WEHO not Omaha Nebraska!
First, I think the Planning Commissioners should have the intelligence and nerve to make a decision once and be able to stick by it. Second, the park should be allowed to evolve, not stay stuck in our Councilmembers vision as a wonderful, safe place for the children. The children who live and play in the urban environs of West Hollywood have seen far worse, I imagine, than adults sitting outside having an adult drink. And, I remind everyone that this patio will largely be behind the basketball courts that are within the boundaries of the park, and their own source… Read more »
By the same logic about hypothetically protecting children in the park from seeing go go dancers and drunken revelers at Cooley’s, Revolver should not have an outside space nor large windows as any innocent child who is walking along SM blvd would be able to see inside and see the go go dancers there. Save the children!
Good job planning commission!! I hope Cooley’s can be open in time for Summer so I can sit on the back patio and watch the kids play in the park. People need to stop bashing Cooley’s and realize it replacing a porn shop, under used dance studio and a watch shop with an very beautifully designed bar and restaurant. Most any other city would be thrilled to have such a cool addition to their city.
They should protect the children from the unleashed dogs…….start there.
Children safe from the bars? This is a non-issue. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen couples pushing their little ones in strollers or holding their little hands while walking casually down SMB in the middle of the day…especially on a Sunday. I agree with 90069 whole heartedly. Grown-ups drinking and having a good time is nothing to be ashamed of. And, BTW when did Weho start to become a prude?
What exactly are we shielding the children from? WeHo of all places should know this puritain style of authority only creates a more crazed and depraved society. Children will not be scandalized by seeing grown adults drinking or heaven forbid a shirtless man gyrating. I may want to relax in the park AND enjoy some eye candy. Children will be too busy eating dirt and talking to themselves to be bothered with it.
David Cooley is a visionary and his vision, innovation and dedication has made The Abbey an icon, recognized around the world and synonymous with West Hollywood. Today, we cannot imagine Weho without “The Abbey” and I predict that someday we will feel the same about “Cooley’s”. This stretch of SMB desperately needs to be revitalized and that means a business that is a “traffic draw”, a destination venue that will attract a new audience and offer additional incentive for existing patrons to stimulate both daytime and evening economies. Cooley’s Gastro Pub will be that draw, a concept that is interesting,… Read more »