Planning commission approves live-entertainment permit for Sena on Myrtle with outdoor hours capped at 11 p.m.

The Monrovia Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for Sena on Myrtle, 409 South Myrtle Avenue, allowing incidental live entertainment indoors and occasional outdoor use on the rear patio with conditions intended to limit noise and late-night impacts.

Planning staff told commissioners the property previously operated with a now-expired outdoor live-entertainment CUP and that the new permit is largely an administrative cleanup to reauthorize that activity. The staff report noted the business would host small acts (one to three performers), limit entertainment to two performances per day, and require that all doors and windows remain closed during performances so that sound is not audible beyond the property line. The staff report cited Monrovia Municipal Code section 17.44.055, which requires a CUP for live entertainment.

Commission discussion centered on hours, neighborhood complaints and how the city would enforce the conditions. Staff described the enforcement process as including code enforcement and police department follow-up, a mandatory review of the CUP within 180 days, and annual alcohol-license review as additional oversight. Two written public comments were received: one asked that sound be managed because of prior neighborhood disruptions from other restaurants; the other raised concerns about late-night activity, drinking and driving, and public-safety incidents in parking lots. Planning staff said those correspondents became more amenable after staff explained the proposed limits.

Nikki Caiello, identified as a general manager of Sena and speaking as the applicant’s representative, told the commission her business books the back patio for private parties (she said parties can be up to 70 people) and that the restaurant does not intend to host regular public outdoor concerts. She said the business has operated with DJ sets for many years and that she had no intention of charging a cover charge or entertainment fee.

The commission moved to approve the CUP with staff-recommended conditions and a modification to condition 9 to clarify the cover-charge prohibition. The amended condition reads, as the commission directed, “No cover charge to enter the restaurant shall be permitted.” The approved conditions limit outdoor live entertainment on the rear patio to 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, indoor entertainment generally to 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 10 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and listed holidays (restaurant closure at 2 a.m.), cap performances at two per day and performers at three, prohibit dancing and pyrotechnics, and require doors and windows to remain closed during performances.

The motion passed by roll call with Commissioners Austin, Rose, Scheffler, Stehira and Chair Brown voting yes. Staff reminded the commission that the CUP can be reviewed earlier than the 180-day period if complaints arise and that the City’s code-enforcement and police processes can prompt interim review.

The commission chair also read the appeal process: decisions may be appealed to the City Council in writing within 10 days with the applicable fee.