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Resident alleges violations at Lavender Hall; commission asks staff for enforcement update
Summary
A resident told the Planning Commission that Lavender Hall has ongoing violations and asked for consequences; the commission asked staff to seek an update from code enforcement and building on the business's conditional‑use permit and liquor‑license compliance.
Resident Terry Raines told the Planning Commission that Lavender Hall — a business previously reviewed by the commission — is the subject of ongoing violations and that evidence has been provided to police and the state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Raines said the commission's earlier decisions approving an upgraded liquor license and a full kitchen may not reflect the site's current condition and asked why staff granted any permit extensions.
Raines also raised a recusal concern, saying Chair Hamade recused himself at an April meeting after staff presentation rather than before the item, and criticized a recent appearance by Vice Chair Tony Buie on a Vietnamese‑language YouTube program that, Raines said, attacked Westminster staff and leadership. "There must be consequences for these egregious actions and trust me, there's more to come on this matter," Raines told the commission.
Commissioners requested staff to coordinate with code enforcement and building to provide an update to the commission. Principal Planner Ken Fichtelman said he would work with Sergio Varenza, the city’s code enforcement manager, and building department staff to provide information at a future meeting. "I will work with Sergio Varenza ... to give you an update," Fichtelman said, noting code enforcement and police had been involved in prior follow‑up. He added that code enforcement is a contracted position and scheduling staff to appear may require coordination.
At the end of the meeting staff reported that the City Council had reconsidered two liquor‑license decisions and amended conditions; staff said council removed some privileges (for example restrictions discussed at council) while keeping other conditions and that staff will coordinate with Police Department and ABC on standard conditions going forward.
No formal enforcement action or motion was taken at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to report back with an update from code enforcement and building on Lavender Hall's conditional‑use permit status, any outstanding violations, the status of building permits for a kitchen, and any related enforcement history.
