Perris planning commission approves Mystique Banquets permit with added security, parking conditions

The Perris Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for Mystique Banquets on a 4–1 vote, authorizing an indoor 6,228‑square‑foot event venue at the southeast corner of Ramona Expressway and Perris Boulevard with conditions aimed at addressing parking, safety and accessibility.

Staff told the commission the facility would occupy several tenant suites in the Perris Valley Commerce Center specific plan and be used for private events such as weddings and quinceañeras. Staff said the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under the existing‑facilities exemption and recommended adoption of Resolution 26‑07 approving Conditional Use Permit 24‑05232. “The applicant is requesting approval of a conditional use permit to establish a banquet hall known as Mystique Banquets, including the potential for alcoholic beverages to be served by event host during private functions,” staff said during the presentation.

Applicant Sergio Arizon, who identified himself as a local business owner and the applicant, told commissioners he supports the use and expects most events to end by midnight. “I respectfully ask for your support and approval,” Arizon said, and said on‑site security and outside catering would control operations.

Several commissioners and members of the public raised concerns about parking, pedestrian safety and evening circulation at the shopping center. Commissioners noted the center contains 613 total parking spaces with a reported surplus of 99 and asked whether those spaces are shared across tenants. Staff confirmed the parking is reciprocal across the center and that no off‑site improvements were required for the project under current standards.

Commissioners pressed for stronger on‑site safety measures and clearer operational controls. In response, the commission added language to the conditions of approval requiring:

- the security plan be reviewed and approved by the county sheriff’s department, and that the plan provide for a minimum of one parking‑lot security officer/attendant in a marked vehicle who will generally direct traffic to the west when the front area is congested; and

- that security staffing meet the draft security plan’s minimum ratio (1 officer per 50 anticipated guests) with a security supervisor assigned at all times; and

- confirmation and repainting of required ADA accessible stalls and compliance with applicable Title 24, Chapter 11B requirements during building plan check; and

- administrative hours of 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on non‑event days and an edit to require Sunday end time be midnight (Sunday→Monday) instead of 2 a.m.

Staff noted the draft security plan already includes marked patrol vehicles in the parking lot and said the sheriff’s office had no formal objection; the commission directed that the plan explicitly specify the parking lot attendant/patrol presence during event hours.

Not all commissioners were convinced the mitigations fully resolved safety and circulation concerns. One commissioner asked whether the proposed location — amid other businesses and multiple nearby alcohol‑serving establishments — would worsen late‑night traffic and pedestrian risk, especially where lighting and circulation are limited. That commissioner voted against the permit.

The permit was approved after the amendments. The commission’s action included adoption of Resolution 26‑07 and approval of Conditional Use Permit 24‑05232 with the modifications described above. The commission record indicates the motion was moved by Commissioner Lopez and seconded by Vice Chair Shively and carried on a 4–1 vote.

The approval is subject to the finalized conditions and the sheriff’s review of the security plan; staff said the applicant must satisfy building and plan‑check requirements (sprinklers, panic hardware, occupancy posting) and confirm accessible parking spaces before operation.