Planning commission approves permanent expanded hours for 309 Manhattan Beach Boulevard with door‑closure condition

The Manhattan Beach Planning Commission voted 5‑0 on July 8 to approve a staff resolution making the expanded second‑story operating hours at 309 Manhattan Beach Boulevard permanent and adding a requirement that the second‑story patio doors remain closed when the patio is closed.

Staff said the restaurant received a one‑year trial for expanded indoor and outdoor hours after a 2024 use permit amendment that allowed expansion onto a second story with outdoor dining. At a February request the applicant sought to continue the expanded hours; staff drafted a resolution to adopt the expanded hours as permanent and to delete the one‑year trial condition. The project planner explained that staff was recommending the commission close the public hearing and adopt the resolution.

Vice Chair raised a concern about noise carrying from the second‑story patio when the patio closed at 11 p.m. and asked whether doors between the indoor area and outdoor patio would be required to remain closed. Staff reviewed the earlier 2024 condition that required patio doors to be closed only during live entertainment, and said there was not a general requirement that the doors remain closed when the patio closed. The commission asked staff to propose precise language to address the concern.

The applicant, representing the restaurant Esperanza, told the commission the business already keeps the doors closed and does not plan to host live entertainment, saying, “We don't mind closing the doors. We do it right now.” Staff then offered draft language for an added condition: “The 2nd story patio door shall remain closed when the patio is closed.” Commissioners said the applicant had been cooperative and noted there were no noise complaints on file for the establishment.

A commissioner moved to close the public hearing and adopt the staff resolution with the added door‑closure condition; the motion was seconded and passed on a 5‑0 roll‑call vote. The commission’s action adopts the expanded hours as permanent and formalizes the requirement that the patio door be closed when the patio is closed.

The commission’s resolution is now part of the planning record for the property at 309 Manhattan Beach Boulevard; any future compliance matters, complaints, or enforcement would be handled under the city’s municipal code and the conditions of the use permit. The commission did not indicate any additional review timeline beyond adopting the resolution at this hearing.