National City planning panel approves Mariscos El Tiburon permit with reduced late-night hours

The National City Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for Mariscos El Tiburon on Nov. 18, adopting limits on alcohol sales and live entertainment after residents testified about late-night noise and police calls.

Assistant planner Sophia Depew told commissioners the restaurant, a 2,000-square-foot business in the MXC1 zone, sought expanded beer-and-wine hours and live entertainment but staff recommended shorter hours and conditions consistent with City Council Policy 707. Depew said staff notified 475 owners and occupants within 660 feet and recommended hours intended to keep live entertainment accessory to the restaurant use.

Owner Socorro Vasquez, through an interpreter, said the restaurant is family-run and asked the commission to approve the permit because business had suffered since music was curtailed: “This is a family business ... we are always trying to avoid those issues,” she said, adding she would accept the shorter hours the commission considered.

Neighbors described repeated late-night disturbances. Alexander Fernandez said he sometimes arrives home at 2:30 a.m. from work and that loud music and alcohol have contributed to security risks: “When alcohol is involved at one or two in the morning, something’s bound to go wrong,” he said. Nurse Daisy Alcantara said she cannot sleep because music continues past midnight and that police have been called repeatedly.

Sergeant Camacho of the National City Police Department summarized calls for service since April 2022, reporting 15 incidents — including fights, noise complaints, subjects under the influence and one instance in which a subject brandished a gun at a karaoke DJ. The police testimony underpinned commissioners’ concern about late-night hours.

Vice Chair Castle proposed amended conditions that shortened the applicant’s requested hours: alcohol sales were limited to 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 9 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday–Saturday; live entertainment was limited to 4 p.m.–10 p.m. Friday–Saturday and 4 p.m.–9 p.m. Sunday. The conditions also require responsible beverage training, that alcohol remain accessory to food service, that windows and doors be closed during live entertainment, and a prohibition on advertised events.

Vice Chair Castle moved to adopt Resolution No. 2024-19, finding the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and approving the CUP for live entertainment and expanded beer-and-wine service as amended. Commissioner Valenzuela seconded the motion. The motion carried, 5–0, with Commissioner Sanchez recused.

The commission and staff noted enforcement options if conditions are violated, including code-enforcement complaints, police response and the commission’s authority to revoke the CUP. The decision will be filed as a notice of decision and the applicant must comply with the resolution’s conditions going forward.