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Planning Commission legalizes live entertainment at Effie's, allows late-night hours
Summary
Campbell's Planning Commission voted 7-0 to grant a conditional use permit for Effie's (331 W. Hacienda Ave) to formalize existing karaoke and limited live entertainment, recognize longstanding nonconforming alcohol sales and allow specified late-night hours; staff said police-initiated code enforcement prompted the application but reported no citizen complaints.
The Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit that allows Effie's restaurant and bar at 331 West Hacienda Avenue to continue historical live entertainment—primarily karaoke—with limited allowance for live bands and DJs and specified late-night hours.
Daniel Fama, the project planner, told commissioners the building has operated as a restaurant for decades and that live entertainment had gone unpermitted. "The conditional use permit would then allow for live entertainment as it historically has been conducted," Fama said, describing the requested hours and the condition package staff proposes to limit impacts and ensure the venue continues to operate principally as a restaurant rather than a nightclub.
Fatameh, speaking for owner Hamid Shirvani, described the business as community-oriented and long-standing. "Karaoke nights are a cherished memory of their time together," she said, and added: "We are not changing anything. We are not expanding. We are not adding any stage, and there is no dancing. Nothing is gonna change. We just making it official and fully compliant with the city's regulation." (applicant remarks paraphrased and quoted).
Commissioners asked about noise, cover charges and whether the police-issued live-entertainment permit is required after planning action; staff said the land-use conditional use permit would run with the property while a separate police-issued live-entertainment permit is personal to the operator. Commissioners also discussed special events, temporary use permits and the ability to prohibit cover charges as a standard condition.
A motion to adopt the resolution granting the conditional use permit (PLN2025-111) and to allow the described live entertainment and late-night hours passed 7-0. Staff noted mechanisms (including revocation) should a public nuisance arise.
The commission recorded the vote and instructed staff to finalize conditions of approval; the applicant and several commissioners expressed support for preserving the restaurant's longstanding community role.
