Planning Commission approves Saki House beer-and-wine permit at Raffi Lounge with conditions

The Malibu Planning Commission on May 19 approved a conditional use permit allowing the Saki House — a 636‑square‑foot restaurant service area with on‑site beer and wine (ABC Type 42) — to operate at Raffi Lounge, 22741 Pacific Coast Highway, near the Malibu Pier.

The commission voted to approve Conditional Use Permit 21‑005 with multiple amendments that include limits on the restaurant service area, a one‑food‑truck restriction and certification requirement, employee parking rules, noise monitoring and enforcement language, trash and drainage measures, and a planning‑director review mechanism.

The commission and staff framed the decision around parking and compatibility with an existing entitlement that would allow a future hotel on the parcels. Planning staff told the commission the site currently has 45 parking spaces and that the added uses would occupy an estimated 35 of those spaces: “That’s a total of 35 out of the 45 existing spaces,” staff said. The staff report noted the site is now in the Seaview Hotel overlay district and recommended approval with an amendment changing references from community commercial to commercial visitor‑serving (CV‑2).

Applicant and property owner Norm Haney said the project has on‑site valet capacity and additional off‑site options if needed: “There are 3 valet parking spaces on the upper area behind the building, and there are 7 within the existing garage,” Haney…