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 told the commission, and he said he could provide additional parking arrangements. Tenant Raffi (operator of Raffi Lounge) described the Saki House as a small, cultural addition to his existing wellness operation and emphasized community service during recent wildfires: “We allowed all the law enforcement officers to come there… we were providing food for free for all the law enforcement officers and the community,” Raffi said, and asked for the commission’s support to keep his business viable.

Commission discussion focused on several recurring issues: how the proposed use interacts with an earlier 2021 council/coastal approval for a hotel on the same parcels, parking adequacy, whether the CUP would “run with the land” if ownership or tenancy changes, amplified music and enforcement, how special events and temporary uses would be controlled (temporary use permits or TUPs), and food‑service configuration (on‑site kitchen versus certified food truck). Staff and the city attorney explained that state ABC licensing and county health rules are separate processes and that, under the municipal code, a CUP generally runs with the land; the commission nonetheless added conditions to give staff clearer enforcement tools and to require a planning‑director review if complaints or violations arise.

The motion that passed (unanimous roll call) adopted Planning Commission Resolution 25‑48 as amended. Key conditions added by the commission include: - Limit public restaurant service area to 636 square feet unless additional parking is provided and a CUP amendment is approved. - Only one certified food truck shall operate on the premises; the applicant must submit required permits/certifications for the food truck to the city before operation. - All employees and independent contractors working at the restaurant are prohibited from parking off‑site in Malibu while working at the property. - Require trash container areas to be screened and have roof/pavement drainage diverted around them. - Noise limits consistent with MMC Section 8.24.050; the planning director may lower allowed sound levels after verified complaints, and the planning director may require cessation of amplified music upon three sequential verified violations of the city noise ordinance. - Planning‑director review authority to inspect and require mitigation steps; if necessary, the director may bring the CUP back to the commission with limited, targeted mitigation options.

The commission’s approvals included language to update references to the Seaview Hotel overlay (CV‑2) in the drafted resolution. Commissioners also required that the food truck maintain proper wastewater and grease handling and regular off‑site cleaning/servicing as required by the health department.

Public comment at the hearing was predominantly supportive. More than a dozen speakers described Raffi Lounge as a long‑standing local wellness and community space that served neighbors and first responders during fires; those speakers urged approval to help the business recover from fire impacts. Several neighbors and commissioners asked for explicit protections to prevent future incompatible uses under a different tenant or owner.

The permit is subject to state ABC review for the Type 42 license and to county public‑health permits for the food truck. The commission’s action establishes the CUP with the conditions described above; state and health approvals are separate processes the applicant must complete before selling alcohol or operating the food truck.

The Saki House CUP decision may affect future development review on the parcel because staff pointed to an earlier 2021 council and Coastal Commission approval for a hotel entitlement that remains on the books (the hotel entitlement’s final action was noted as September 2023 with an expiration in September 2026). The commission’s motion leaves open the route for staff to require further review if noncompliance or nuisance complaints occur.

Commissioners said they wanted to balance supporting a small local business with protections for neighbors and public safety; the permit carries those conditions and a monitoring mechanism so staff can act if problems arise.

Outcome: Conditional Use Permit 21‑005 approved (unanimous vote).