Planning commission approves live music at Campbell restaurant, extends hours to midnight

The Campbell Planning Commission on Dec. 9 approved a modification to the conditional use permit for 276 East Campbell Avenue to allow limited live entertainment, expanding staff’s recommended 11 p.m. cutoff to the restaurant’s midnight closing time.

Senior planner Daniel Fama described the application (PLN2025‑150) as a modification to a prior restaurant/bar permit to allow disc jockey performances and live musicians under several operational constraints intended to keep the activity ancillary to dining. Fama said the draft conditions would prohibit standalone amplified systems and cover charges, require doors and windows be closed during entertainment, allow the director to curtail hours for verified complaints, and require the business to secure a police live‑entertainment permit before beginning performances.

The applicant and operator told the commission the concept is an “elevated Greek dining experience” with background and complimentary music during dinner. "This is more elevated, upgraded music where we usually play after 7 to 8 p.m., we don't go like 'boom, boom, boom' — it's to elevate dining," the operator said.

Commissioners focused questions on the policy history (staff said a 2017 decision had treated DJs as potentially inconsistent with the downtown alcohol policy but council has allowed DJs under limiting conditions), policing of noise, security requirements (handled by the police live‑entitlement permit), the four‑performer limit for ancillary entertainment, and whether karaoke is included (staff said karaoke was not included in the requested modification).

After discussion, several commissioners proposed and seconded an amendment to allow live entertainment through the restaurant’s closing hour at midnight rather than the 11 p.m. limit recommended in staff’s report. The motion passed unanimously on roll call; the clerk recorded ayes from the commissioners present and the chair declared the motion carried.

The approval is final unless appealed in writing to the city clerk within 10 calendar days; separate police department permitting is required before live entertainment may begin.

What’s next: The planning commission’s action is final unless appealed; the operator must obtain a live‑entertainment permit from the police department and comply with the conditions of approval and any administrative direction from the city should complaints arise.