Planning commission approves axe‑throwing venue with alcohol limits and age restrictions

The Mission Viejo Planning & Transportation Commission voted unanimously Dec. 9 to approve a conditional use permit for an 8,250‑square‑foot axe‑throwing and entertainment venue at 27741 Crown Valley Parkway in the Kaleidoscope, including a Type 40 on‑sale beer license subject to conditions.

Staff told commissioners the proposed venue would feature 20 axe‑throwing lanes, a smash room and a 1,920‑square‑foot dance floor, and that the center has a large parking deficit by code but observed evening vacancies that staff said would mitigate impacts. The application includes training, security staffing for dance nights and an insurance rider that influenced alcohol conditions.

Applicant Corey Johnson, who identified himself as owner/operator of an existing Lake Forest location, described safety measures and customer controls, and gave the commission his business record: “we have seen about 90,000 customers come through, making us the busiest axe throwing venue in the country.” He said staff would mark wristbands and limit patrons to two drinks; commissioners discussed imposing an alcohol ABV cap and confirmed insurance requirements would be enforced.

Staff recommended and the commission adopted the resolution approving PCUP2024‑0010 with conditions that include mandatory staff alcohol training, incident reporting to police and compliance with the insurance rider; commissioners emphasized that alcohol service and dance‑night age policies must follow ABC and insurance constraints. The approval, as reflected in the transcript, passed unanimously; individual roll‑call votes were not recorded in the meeting text.

The permit authorizes the venue to operate with the stated hours and limits but requires the applicant to obtain the required Type 40 ABC license and comply with the resolution’s conditions before serving alcohol.