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Committee approves extended hours for Club Lehi Bodega banquet hall amid neighbor objections
Summary
The committee granted an amendment to the conditional use permit extending business hours for the banquet hall at 701 Pine Street (Club Lehi Bodega). Neighbors raised concerns about parking, noise and late‑night traffic; the owner said events are family‑oriented and security/towing are used to control parking.
Owner Delia Dela Cruz asked the committee to amend her conditional use permit to extend hours for the banquet hall at 701 Pine Street (agenda item D). She told the committee she first obtained a license around 2018 and initially accepted an 11 p.m. closing while she learned to operate the business. "I didn't even I was just gonna try it and see," Dela Cruz said. She told the committee many family‑oriented events (weddings, quinceañeras, baptisms) can run later than 11 p.m., often until about midnight to 12:30 a.m., and she said security and towing procedures are in place to secure her private parking lot.
Neighbors from 706, 710 and 723 Pine Street had filed objections and reported prior instances of traffic, noise and congestion near the hall. Several aldermen pressed Dela Cruz about how the business will prevent patrons from parking at adjacent establishments and about whether music or speakers might be used outside; Dela Cruz and staff said she does maintain onsite parking and that security directs guests to park on her property. Dela Cruz acknowledged a prior incident in which a speaker was temporarily used outdoors and said she removed it when notified.
Alderman Newsom (ward representative) defended the owner’s operation, noting she has run the business for several years and said neighbors had not personally raised continuing complaints with him. Alderman Martinez cited concerns about nearby late‑night activity associated with other nearby establishments and voted against the extension. The committee approved the conditional‑use amendment on a roll call (the motion recorded a majority vote in favor). Staff noted the planning and zoning commission had suggested a 90‑day review period if problems arise.
The amendment was approved by the committee and will proceed as an ordinance/amendment to the conditional use permit; the owner and staff will monitor impacts and the permit can be revisited if neighbors report ongoing problems.
