You heard a nightclub might be moving into your neighborhood, right?

The next hip party spot in West Hollywood could also be your new neighbor — did nobody tell you?

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing tonight to decide whether to allow a nightclub to set up shop in the basement of a two-story building on Melrose near La Cienega. It’s the last chance for any residents or businesses to chime in on the project after City Hall’s dismal outreach effort drew only one person to a tour of the site and a Q&A wtih the developer.

This project, situated at 8465 Melrose Avenue within the CN1 (Commercial, Neighborhood 1) Zoning District, seeks to transition the space from general retail to a nightlife establishment, but will not entail any external modifications to the building or an increase in its floor area.

The property in question is a through lot located on the north side of Melrose Avenue, flanked by La Cienega Boulevard to the west and Croft Avenue to the east. To the north, there’s a public alley. The structure in question is a recently constructed commercial building occupying approximately 7,166 square feet on a commercially zoned lot spanning around 4,200 square feet. The Certificate of Occupancy for this building was issued in March 2023 but it remains unoccupied by tenants. Within this building, the basement level has been divided into three separate retail spaces, and it’s this area that is earmarked for transformation into a nightclub.

Considering the zoning context, the proposed nightclub sits within a neighborhood predominantly characterized by restaurant, retail, and showroom uses. Notably, the subject property lacks on-site parking spaces and was initially approved with off-site parking arrangements at 547 West Knoll Drive under a Parking Use Permit (PUP160005) when the development obtained planning approvals in May 2018.

While it’s limited to an existing basement area, the project is located within a 7,166-square-foot building that constitutes the sole structure on the parcel. It falls within the CN1 zoning district and aligns with bars/nightclubs usage upon the approval of a conditional use permit. Furthermore, all necessary public services and facilities are accessible for this site, and the immediate surroundings are deemed highly urbanized and non-environmentally sensitive.

In an effort to engage with the community and address potential concerns, the applicant conducted an in-person neighborhood meeting on June 21, 2023. This meeting adhered to the West Hollywood Municipal Code (WHMC) Section 19.48.040 and was advertised on the City Calendar. A notice was also mailed to all residents and property owners within a 500-foot radius of the site — yet only one resident attended and posed inquiries regarding noise concerns. The attendee had the opportunity to tour the site and received responses from the applicant, specifically concerning noise-related matters.

Turning to the specifics of the project, the applicant’s proposal seeks to repurpose the entire 3,053-square-foot basement level of the two-story commercial building, which spans 7,166 square feet in total. Previously, this basement area accommodated three separate retail spaces. The planned nightclub is subject to a Conditional Use Permit, as outlined in Table 2-5 of Section 19.10.030 of the WHMC. The applicant also intends to apply for a Type 48 ABC alcohol license, which permits the sale of beer, wine, and distilled spirits for on-site consumption at the nightclub.

To facilitate the transition, minor interior tenant improvements will be implemented to merge the existing spaces into one expansive tenant area. It’s important to note that these improvements do not encompass any external enhancements or additions to the building. The nightclub’s layout, as illustrated in Exhibit C, is predominantly open and includes spaces for seating, a bar counter, and dancing. Moreover, the establishment will feature multiple gender-neutral restroom facilities strategically placed throughout the proposed tenant space.

The basement-level tenant space is fully enclosed, with the primary entrance located to the north, accessible from the alleyway. A secondary access point is positioned to the south, connecting to Melrose Avenue. Operating hours for the nightclub are proposed to be from 5:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. on Mondays through Fridays, and from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The sale and service of alcohol are intended to conclude at 1:30 a.m., which is half an hour before the closing time.

In terms of operational hours, the recommended schedule closely aligns with similar nightclubs, bars, and restaurants in the area. Staff rationale for concluding alcohol service 30 minutes before closing is to ensure patrons have ample time to enjoy their beverages and exit the premises promptly.

Crucially, the West Hollywood Municipal Code (WHMC) Section 19.36.200(E)(3) imposes an essential requirement for the soundproofing of the nightclub structure. The code stipulates that interior noise should remain inaudible beyond the property line when doors are closed. It’s pertinent to note that the nearest residentially zoned properties are located to the south, along Clinton Avenue, approximately 200 feet away from the proposed nightclub. Given that the nightclub’s operations will be confined to the basement area and entail no outdoor activities affecting residential properties, the potential for noise disturbances beyond the property line is expected to be minimal.

To further address potential noise concerns, staff recommends additional operating conditions. These conditions include:

• Mandating that all doors be closed by 10:00 p.m., except in cases of bona fide emergencies.
• Requiring that all speakers be situated indoors and directed to emit sound towards the interior of the nightclub. Outdoor speakers will not be permitted.
• Ensuring that music and other amplified sounds are not audible from any residentially zoned property.
• Enforcing compliance with the Noise Ordinance of the West Hollywood Municipal Code.

Parking considerations are another critical aspect of the proposal. As previously mentioned, the subject property does not possess on-site parking spaces. The initial construction of the building received approval with off-site parking arrangements at 547 West Knoll Drive, sanctioned under a Parking Use Permit (PUP16-0005) when planning approvals were secured in May 2018. Under WHMC Section 19.28.040(B)(3)(a), when there is a change in use, additional parking must be provided equivalent to the difference between the parking spaces required for the preceding use and the total number needed for the new use.

In this context, the proposed 3,053-square-foot nightclub would necessitate a total of nine off-street parking spaces in line with WHMC regulations. However, it’s imperative to consider the impact of recent changes in California Government Code Section 65863.2, effective as of January 1, 2023. This legal update restricts public agencies from imposing or enforcing minimum automobile parking requirements for residential, commercial, or other development projects located within a half-mile radius of public transit. Importantly, the subject property falls within this category due to its proximity to a transit stop situated at the corner of Melrose Avenue and La Cienega Boulevard.

While these legislative changes curtail the City’s ability to mandate a minimum number of parking spaces for this use, the document recommends conditions aimed at ensuring that parking operations do not disrupt the nearby residential neighborhoods. These conditions encompass:

• Ensuring that patrons accessing the nightclub via ridesharing or nearby parking do not cause a nuisance to the neighborhood.
• Requiring nightclub management to investigate and promptly resolve complaints related to violations of these conditions or reports of nuisances attributable to customers, neighbors, or employees of the nightclub. Furthermore, the complainant should be contacted within 24 hours of receiving the information, and efforts should be made to address and eliminate the complaints at the time of the initial call.

Additionally, the proposal adheres to WHMC Section 19.36.060, which addresses alcoholic beverage sales. According to the regulation, the proposed nightclub is not anticipated to contribute to an undue proliferation of alcoholic beverage sales businesses in an area where additional establishments of this kind would be undesirable. It is important to note that the nightclub’s location falls within the Melrose/Beverly District area.

In conclusion, the proposal to convert the existing general retail space into a nightclub has been carefully assessed and deemed suitable for the site and the surrounding neighborhood. The project is confined to the building’s basement level and promises to enrich both daytime and nighttime offerings in the Melrose/Beverly District, as stipulated in the General Plan designation. Additionally, the proposal aligns with all other Zoning Ordinance requirements and is subject to conditions designed to mitigate any potential adverse impacts on the neighborhood. In light of these considerations, staff recommends the approval of the project with the conditions outlined in the attached Draft Resolution No. PC 23-1533.