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Council defers Karma Restaurant use permit to Feb. 26 pending security plan and community meeting
Summary
Council deferred action on Karma Restaurant's request to expand into adjacent space and extend hours, asking the applicant to provide a completed, HPD-approved security plan and to hold a community meeting before the Feb. 26 meeting.
The council voted to defer consideration of use permit 24-0489 for Karma Restaurant and Lounge (85 & 87 Lincoln Street) until the Feb. 26 legislative meeting so staff and the business can finalize a security plan and the applicant can hold a community meeting.
Chief Planner Donald Whipple walked council through three options: staff-recommended conditions with more limited hours; a Planning Commission recommendation that included 13 conditions and an updated security plan; and an alternate amendment negotiated with the applicant. The applicant (referred to as Mr. Ray) told council he was concerned about a proposed blanket prohibition on third-party promoters and objected to a police request that a business provide 24-hour access to live camera feeds. He said he is willing to install additional cameras but is uncomfortable with providing continuous remote access to his camera system.
Planning and police staff clarified the promoter condition is intended to prevent spaces from being turned into third-party-run club operations; Michael Hayes, planning zoning division manager, said the security plan remains under review and the question of 24-hour access is still being worked out between the police and applicant. Council members expressed differing views: Councilwoman Campbell supported moving forward with staff option 3 to allow certain special days and better coordination with HPD; Councilwoman Muggler and others said they were uncomfortable approving the permit without a finalized security plan and a community meeting. Councilwoman Muggler moved and the council voted to defer the item to the Feb. 26 legislative meeting. The motion passed by roll call (four in favor, three opposed). Mayor Gray, Councilwoman Campbell and Councilwoman Harper voted against the deferral.
The deferral includes a requirement that a completed and approved security plan be in place and that the applicant conduct a community meeting before the council takes up the item again.
