Clearlake planning commission approves live-music permit for Self Made Billiards and Taqueria

The Clearlake Planning Commission on April 22 approved a conditional use permit allowing live music at Self Made Billiards and Taqueria (Unit A) at 1400642 Lakeshore Boulevard, with conditions requiring a trash enclosure plan, required agency permits and other measures before events may begin.

Commissioners approved the permit, CUP 20 24-4, and the staff-referenced categorical exemption (CE 20 24-8) for an existing structure. The commission voted 5-0; Vice Chair Smolley moved to approve and Commissioner Silva seconded. Roll-call votes were Silva — Aye; Counts — Aye; Inglis — Aye; Vice Chair Smolley — Aye; Chair Williams — Aye.

The permit allows live-music events at the restaurant/bar up to 30 times per year (Saturdays and holidays only), with event hours proposed from 10:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The business holds an ABC Type 41 (beer and wine) license; staff noted that the license expired March 31 but the holder has a 60-day compliance period extending to June 30.

Planner Taylor (staff) told the commission the project site is a roughly 0.3-acre parcel within the South Main/South Lake Plaza complex; the specific unit proposed for events is on a roughly 10,400-square-foot lot and the building is about 5,100 square feet. Staff calculated a parking requirement of 74 spaces under municipal code 18-20-090 for the mix of uses, and said the site can currently provide about 45 on-site spaces plus roughly eight spaces behind the building near Emery Avenue.

Staff recommended three specific preconditions to operation: (1) a trash enclosure plan to address existing trash accumulation, (2) payment of an in-lieu fee for curb, gutter and sidewalk improvements where applicable, and (3) any agency permits required prior to operation. Staff said the conditions would not prevent the restaurant from continuing normal operations but would bar live-music events until the conditions were met.

Police Chief Hobbs told the commission that, during a prior trial period when temporary event permits and contracted security were required, calls for service related to the site “have gone down drastically,” and that since 2024 the department has responded to fewer than five calls for noise or arguments at the location. The business has contracted with Parks Security for 2025 events, the staff report said.

Commissioners focused much of their deliberation on parking, enforcement and limits. Commissioner Silva asked whether the parcels in the plaza are separate and whether a future sale could remove parking; staff said a property merger was not prudent at this time but that a more intensive future use would trigger review through the use-permit process and could carry conditions (including a required merger or a parking agreement) if necessary. Staff also noted the commission could direct additional conditions now or commission revocation could be considered later if enforcement issues arise.

Commissioner Inglis asked whether the 30-event annual cap would be prorated if the permit becomes effective midyear; staff said the director could prorate the number at discretion or the commission could give specific direction. Vice Chair Smolley asked that accessible parking compliance be added as a condition; staff agreed that compliance with California accessibility standards could be included in conditions of approval.

The commission heard no public comments in the chamber or on Zoom and no written comments were reported. Chair Williams said the motion carried and the permit passed with the stated conditions.

The commission’s approval allows events only after the conditions are satisfied; staff retains discretion to implement or interpret timing (including proration of the 30-event cap) and to return matters to the commission if enforcement problems or significant changes arise.