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Lancaster planning panel keeps King Barpermit in place after safety review, vows closer monitoring
Summary
After hearing staff testimony about multiple service calls and a March assault, the Lancaster Planning Commission declined to revoke conditional use permit 23-005 or the bar's grandfathered alcoholic-beverage status, voting 6-1 to allow continued operation under existing conditions and closer oversight.
The Lancaster Planning Commission voted 6-1 to allow the King Bar at 2822 East Avenue I to continue operating under its existing conditional use permit (CUP 23-005) and to retain its deemed-approved status as an alcoholic beverage establishment, after staff recommended revocation following a compliance review.
The decision came after staff summarized enforcement history and safety concerns. "Based upon those facts and incidents, these are grounds to revoke the two components of the bar operation," said Hai Niu Nguyen, acting assistant director for community development, referring to the CUP provisions for live entertainment and the bar's grandfathered alcohol status. Nguyen told commissioners the city had recorded 11 calls for service over the previous 15 months, including an March 1 incident described as an assault with a deadly weapon that occurred in the parking lot and resulted in victims being taken to the hospital.
The staff report said the building-permit application to legalize some on-site structures is approved pending county fire clearance; the permit also covers construction of a block sound wall required by the CUP and a demo permit is required for an unpermitted shade structure. The applicant submitted a letter asking that staff conduct condition-compliance reviews for five years instead of pursuing revocation.
Owner Sam Zreb and his team told commissioners they had added on-site security, improved lighting, installed metal detectors and body cameras, and created entry controls. "We have added more security," said Danielle Santiano, a facility representative, noting a security patrol presence and ID check at the door. Lancaster police leadership also inspected the site: "Many of the additions that they mentioned today are actually going above and beyond most other bars in our city," said Chief Armalyn, who told the commission he observed a marked security patrol car and other improvements.
Commissioners discussed options that included revoking both the CUP and the deemed-approved alcohol status, revoking only the CUP for outdoor events (which would limit the site to indoor bar operations and capacity limits), or taking no action. Several commissioners commended the applicant for submitting security and lighting plans but stressed the city—s obligation to be a good neighbor to nearby mobile home parks and to address noise and public-safety concerns.
In voting to let the King Bar continue under CUP 23-005 and retain its deemed-approved alcoholic beverage status, the commission did not adopt staff's recommendation to revoke. The commission's action does not preclude future enforcement: staff noted the commission may call up the permit for review under condition 12 and that appeals of any future planning decision can be made to the city council.
The commission's vote leaves the CUP and grandfathered alcohol status in effect while staff continues compliance monitoring and the applicant moves forward with the approved building permits pending fire clearance.
