Correction: A previous version of the article incorrectly stated the Redondo Beach City Council denied a Level 2 Entertainment permit for 20/20 Bar and Grill. This has been fixed in the text below, and we regret the error.
The Redondo Beach City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the staff recommendation for the 20/20 Bar and Grill, a permit to allow them to hold live music in the recently-opened establishment. They have a 90 day trial to stay open until midnight.
The permit, known as a Level 2 Entertainment Permit, allows live music, a DJ and karaoke at the bar during the establishment's normal business hours.
During a public hearing, Seema Dhir, daughter of the the bar's owner, spoke on behalf of the business to extend the hours for music and live entertainment. However, nearby residents voiced concern over noise levels at the bar.
Guadalupe Fernandez and Carol Hazelwood, both neighbors of the bar, complained about late-night noise from the establishment, beer bottles and cigarette butts being thrown on the street and people parking in the handicap-designated areas.
Councilman Steve Aspel commented that 20/20 is the only bar in the district which makes it a target for noise complaints. "(20/20) is going to be a target because it is the only place to serve a drink in District 3," said Aspel.
When a management consultant representing the bar mentioned that 20/20 stays open until 1 a.m., Councilman Pat Aust pointed out that if that was the case, the business was illegally open past the permitted hours of its conditional use permit.
While the Level 2 Entertainment request was granted at Tuesday's meeting, the city said the permit is valid for a 90-day trial period. The council said it supported the small business and asked them to work in tandem with the neighborhood to improve the noise and alleviate late night disruptions.
Other City Council News of Note:
- The Council discussed an item to regulate motorized leaf blowers late in the meeting. Councilman Kilory suggested professional landscapers use certain leaf blowers that blow only as loud as 65 decibels, the same decibel level of a conversation. Residents can contact City Hall to buy a discounted leaf blower being sold for $200 (typically sold for $500). Residents must be pre-registered by Dec. 6 to buy the leaf blower.
- The City Council approved a waiver of parking meter fees in the Riviera Village during the holiday season. Free parking will be available on South Catalina Avenue and Pearl Street from Dec. 17 to Jan. 2. Free parking will also be available at the pier parking structures between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily from Dec. 10-28.
- The Leadership Redondo Class of 2012's plans for the Events Plaza Project in Veterans Park will move forward using a combination of $90,000 in private donations and city contributions not to exceed $15,000.
