HomeMy WebLinkAboutRP 09-08; Mediterranean Cafe; Redevelopment Permits (RP) (2)Citv of Carlsbad
Housing & Redevelopment Department
May 29, 2009
MTA INTERNATIONAL LLC
300 CARLSBAD VILLAGE DRIVE, STE 106
CARLSBAD, CA 92008
Re: The Mediterranean Cafe
Dear Mr. Afghani:
On May 18, 2009 the Housing and Redevelopment Director approved Administrative
Redevelopment Permit No. RP 09-08 for property located at 300 Carlsbad Village
Drive, Suite 106. The decision ofthe Housing and Redevelopment Director is subject
to a ten (10) day appeal period. The appeal period has elapsed and no appeals were
filed.
Attached is a copy of the approved permit authorizing the change in use from
"restaurant" to "restaurant with entertainment." Please review ail conditions carefully.
Violation of the conditions could result in revocation of this permit.
If you have any questions regarding this correspondence, please contact my office at
(760) 434-2810.
Sincerely,
LAURA ROBINS
Pianning Technician
C: File
2965 Roosevelt St., Ste. B • Carlsbad, CA 92008-2397 • (760) 434-2810/2811 • FAX (760) 720-2037 ^
Citv of Carlsbad
Housing & Redevelopment Department
May 18, 2009
THE MEDITERRANEAN CAFE
ATTN: MAZEN AFGHANI
300 CARLSBAD VILLAGE DRIVE, SUITE 106
CARLSBAD, CA 92008
Subject: The Mediterranean Cafe, Administrative Redevelopment Permit
RP 09-08
Dear Mr. Afghani:
I have included the conditions for your project (RP 09-08) to change the land use
ofthe Mediterranean Cafe from "restaurant only" to "restaurant with
entertainment". Before the permit and condifions for your project are finalized,
the ten-day appeal period must pass without receiving any appeals from property
owners or occupants. This ten-day appeal period will be over on Thursday, May
28th at 5 PM. Once this period has lapsed and if our office receives no appeals,
we will send you the final permit. Our department will also notify the State
Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and the City of Carlsbad Police
Department of the final approval of your permit. Please review and familiarize
yourself with the project condifions (RP 09-08), particularly Condifion #10
regarding the Assembly Use Permit from the Fire Department, in order to take
the appropriate actions.
Please contact my office at (760) 434-2810 ext 5017, if you have any quesfions.
Sincerely,
LAURA ROBINS
Planning Technician
C: File
2965 Roosevelt St., Ste. B • Carlsbad. CA 92008-2397 • (760) 434-2810/2811 • FAX (760) 720-2037 ^
RP 09-08 Mediterranean Caft Final Conditions 05/18/2009'
Conditions for RP 09-08
The Mediterranean Cafe Entertainment
300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Suite 106
Request to convert a "restaurant only" use to a "restaurant with entertainment"
1. Live entertainment shall be permitted inside the licensed premises from
6:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
2. Live entertainment shall be limited to the 4' x 8' floor area shown on the
submitted site plan.
3. The applicant shall comply with the guidelines and regulations of
Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 8.09 (Entertainment License).
4. There shall be no dancing permitted on the licensed premises at any
time.
5. The sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption off the licensed
premises is prohibited.
6. No sounds, including but not limited to loud speakers, sound systems or
other types of music or noise emanating from the licensed premises
shall be audible beyond 100 feet from the boundaries of the licensed
premises.
7. Between the hours of 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM, no sounds, including but
not limited to loud speakers, sound systems or other types of music or
noise emanating from the licensed premises shall exceed 65 decibels
when measured at the property line.
8. The quarterly gross sales of alcohol shall not exceed quarterly gross
sales of food during the same period. The licensee at all times shall
maintain records which reflect separately the gross sales of food and the
gross sales of alcoholic beverages of the licensed premises.
9. There shall be no pool tables, coin operated video games or pinball
machines in the licensed premises.
10. Within ten (10) days of the approval of this permit, the applicant shall
obtain a permit from the Carlsbad Fire Department for Assembly Use and
at that time the Fire Department will establish the allowable occupant
load.
11. The maximum number of persons, other than employees, shall not at any
one time exceed the maximum occupant load for the building as
determined by the Fire Marshall or the designated City Building Official.
RP 09-08 Mediterranean Caf6 Final Conditions 05/18/2009'
12. During live entertainment a maximum occupancy load for the building
reduced by 5 occupants shall be posted where the standard maximum
occupancy load is normally displayed.
13. This permit shall be subject to revocation by the Housing and
Redevelopment Director if the applicant fails to conform to any of the
above conditions of approval.
14. The establishment shall operate as a restaurant at all times, including
when entertainment is offered. Tables and chairs to be removed for
entertainment are limited to those shown on the submitted site plan.
Tables and chairs for food service may not be removed at any time for
dancing. At no time shall the establishment operate as a bar only.
Restaurant food service shall be provided during all business hours.
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
April 29, 2009
TO: Laura Robins
Housing and Redevelopment
FROM: Captain Shipley
Re: Redevelopment Permit - Mediterranean Cafe
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the application submitted by the Mediterranean
Cafe . Looking at this application as an isolated business it is difficult to find any objection to
the modest request to add entertainment to this permit. However, when viewed collectively as
the Village, some concerns come forward.
Last month Mr. Peabody's Bar and Grill applied to City Council to overturn the police
department's denial for expanded hours of operation. The Mediterranean Cafe has applied to
allow entertainment. It is my understanding they have also applied for an ABC license to serve
beer and wine. The attorney who represented Mr. Peabody's has been collecting crime
statistics regarding other establishments in the Village area. At some point the City must say
we have enough restaurants that have become restaurants with entertainment; that have
become restaurants with entertainment that remain open until midnight; and to restaurants
with entertainment that remain open until two in the morning.
My concern with the Mediterranean Cafe request, or any other similar request, is that soon,
there will be too many alcohol and entertainment establishments in the Village area. In an
effort to reduce costs, and due to a measure of past success in controlling alcohol related crime
in the village area, the police department has reduced the downtown enforcement detail by
25%. An additional 25% was initially proposed for the 2009/2010 budget. Based on the
increase in bar activity I have recommended removing the second 25% reduction. If expansion
of establishment permits continues it will be necessary to not only reinstitute full funding ofthe
detail, but likely will require additional enhancements.
With respect to Mediterranean Cafe, the Police Department recommends against expansion of
entertainment permits, of ABC licenses limitations and in hours of operation of alcohol
establishments in the village area ofCarlsbad.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
C: Police - Entertainment Establishment file
04/15/09
Dear Ms. Robins:
Thank you for getting back to me. Regarding your inquiry to the entertainment at
the Mediterranean Cafe, my plan is to have entertainment on an occasional basis.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, fi-om 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 or 10:00 p.m... Usually I would
have one or two entertainers during the evening. An example would be a choice of an
acoustic guitar, belly dancer, sitar, flute, or accordion to give you a better idea. I don't
wish to have loud music, because that is not the ambiance of the Cafe. I want to create an
authentic, Mediterranean flavor. If you have fiirther questions, please contact me.
Mazen T. Afghani
M.T.A. Internafional, LLC
760 822-6873
The Mediterranean Cafe is a division of MTA Intemationai Gallery which has been in
business in Southem Califomia since 1980 promoting art and culture from aroimd the
world.
The new concept which we are introducing to the Village of Carlsbad is truly one of the
most unique and the first of its kind to the area. What hold us apart from other local
restaurants is the fact that the Mediterranean Cafe v^U be producing an affordable array
of inspired traditional dishes complimenting the cuisine of southem Europe, the Middle
East and Northem Africa. Keeping a casual and welcoming atmosphere built around an
excellent waiting staff and great food will ensure that the Mediterranean Cafe will be a
landmark in the Village. Along side our cuisine we will also have a coffee, tea, and juice
bar offering fresh drinks daily; Everything from cappuccinos to fresh squeezed fmit and
vegetable juices, selective beers and wines of the region also. Daily specials will be
prepared based upon what is in season. Using nothing but the freshest organic ingredients
prepared with authentic family recipes. Our menu will offer a healthier altemative for
everyone to enjoy. From the Mazzas / Tapas selections to specialty panini's, dips, and
salads we are unlike any nearby restaurants.
We plan to focus a lot of our efforts not only on the locals, but also on the tourist
population that come to Carlsbad and North County. Since they will make generous
contributions towards sales, it is good to build that bond and offer them something new,
unique, exciting, and leaving them with a great impression wanting more. From being in
business in Carlsbad for the past 10 years with our intemationai art gallery, we have built
a great relationship with the tourists and local commimity who visit the Village and now
have something else to offer them. The Mediterranean Cafe plans to get involved and
play a roll in the local community; Actions such as fundraisers, working with local
schools, and sponsoring sports teams. We will also be employing local citizens to help
spark new jobs in Carlsbad.
The Mediterranean Cafe is formally the Blissful Restaurant, which had no
entertainment. Our concept is to bring the unique music of the Mediterranean Coast to the
beautiful Village of Carlsbad. We plan to provide our customers with occasional acoustic
guitars, sitar, accordion, and other vocals of that region.
In closing, opening this cafe has been a dream of ours for a long time. It took
years of hard work and sacrifice to get the opportunity we have now. That is why this
whole operation is so important and meaningful to us. On behalf of Mediterranean Cafe
we thank you for your time and consideration.
Citv of Carlsbad
Housing & Redevelopment Department
May 4, 2009
THE MEDITERRANEAN CAFE
ATTN: MAZEN AFGHANI
300 CARLSBAD VILU\GE DRIVE, SUITE 106
CARLSBAD, CA 92008
Subject: The Mediterranean Cafe, Administrative Redevelopment Permit
RP 09-08
Dear Mr. Afghani:
In follow-up to our phone conversation today, I have included the condition we received
from the Fire Department regarding your applicafion to add entertainment to your
restaurant.
Fire:
• Fire Department has reviewed this submittal and would comment that this
proposed occupancy shall be classified as "A- 2: Assembly" occupancy
and shall be required to comply with all of the requirements set forth in
the Carlsbad Building and Fire Codes. The applicant shall be required to
obtain a pennit from the Carlsbad Fire Department for Assembly Use and
at that fime Fire will establish the allowable occupant load.
To discuss all Fire Department Concerns, please contact Greg Ryan at (760) 602-4663.
Please note that the above request from Fire will be a condition placed on the final
permit for RP 09-08. If you have any questions about the infonnation included in this
letter, please contact my office at (760) 434-2810 ext 5017.
Sincerely,
LAURA ROBINS
Planning Technician
C: File
2965 Roosevelt St., Ste. B • Carlsbad, CA 92008-2397 • (760) 434-2810/2811 • FAX (760) 720-2037
Citv of Carlsbad
Housing & Redevelopment Department
April 15, 2009
THE MEDITERRANEAN CAFE
ATTN: MAZEN AFGHANI
300 CARLSBAD VILLAGE DRIVE, SUITE 106
CARLSBAD, CA 92008
Subject: The Mediterranean Cafe, Administrafive Redevelopment Permit
RP 09-08
Dear Mr. Afghani:
Thank you for applying for a Redevelopment Permit in the City of Carlsbad. The
application is incomplete, as submitted. The attached list includes informafion that must
be submitted to complete your application. This list of items must be submitted
directly to the Housing & Redevelopment Office. All list items must be submitted
simultaneously and a copy of this list must be included with your submittal. No
processing of your application can occur unfil the application is determined to be
complete. When all required materials are submitted to the Redevelopment Office, the
City has an addifional thirty (30) days to make a determinafion of completeness. If the
applicafion is determined to be complete, processing for a decision on the applicafion
will be inifiated. In addifion, please note that you have six months from the date the
applicafion was initially filed, March 18, 2009 to either resubmit the applicafion or
submit the required informafion. Failure to resubmit the applicafion or to submit the
materials necessary to determine your application complete shall be deemed to
consfitute withdrawal of the application. If an application is withdrawn or deemed
withdrawn, a new applicafion must be submitted.
Please contact my office at (760) 434-2810 ext 5017, if you have any questions or wish
to set up a meefing to discuss the applicafion.
Sincerely,
LAURA ROBINS
Planning Technician
c: Debbie Fountain, Housing and Redevelopment Director
File
2965 Roosevelt St., Ste. B • Carlsbad, CA 92008-2397 • (760) 434-2810/2811 • FAX (760) 720-2037 ^
The Mediterranean Cafe wy^|^rtainment
Page 2 of2
04/15/2009
LIST OF ITEMS NEEDED
TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION
RP 09-08
Stafl" has completed a review of the subject project for applicafion completeness. The
applicafions and plans submitted for this project are incomplete at this fime. Piease
resubmit 3 sets of plans addressing the following incomplete items:
Housing & Redevelopment:
• Please provide one (1) more set of mailing labels for property owners
within 300 feet of the subject property.
• Please provide two (2) sets of mailing labels for occupants within 100 feet
of the subject property.
• Please provide details regarding what nights and hours live entertainment
will be provided, the number of people performing at a time, and the type
of entertainment provided.
• Please note on the floor plan the maximum occupancy load for the
restaurant.
• Please revise the floor plan to show how many chairs will be used in
addition to the tables currently shown.