The council voted 4-1, Councilman Bob Brockman dissenting, in favor of resident Jackie Waters’ appeal of a Planning Commission approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Club O, which would have been located between Acorn Storage and WinCo and near the Red Rhino nightclub. It was the proposed proximity of the two clubs that was of particular interest to several of the speakers on hand to object to Club O.
“We are very concerned if another nightclub is approved located a stone’s throw from the Red Rhino,” said Officer Roger Wilson, president of the Brentwood Police Officers’ Association. Wilson spoke on behalf of the association and not the Brentwood Police Department. Red Rhino has logged more than 100 calls for service in the last 18 months, Wilson said. A second establishment meant one could expect more incidents, a point echoed by Police Chief Mark Evenson.
“What we can expect is what we’ve gotten from other places that sell liquor,” said Evenson. He estimated 100 to 125 more calls annually if Club O was approved, mostly on Friday or Saturday nights.
Applicant Tiffany Tran, however, said her establishment would be nothing like Red Rhino. “Yes, we will have some problems,” she acknowledged. “But I will work with you and we will deal with it. It’s not fair to not even give me a chance.
“I’m smart enough to know that the laws have been set for me,” she said. “If I’m not following the (law), then shut me down. Six months, that’s a fair chance.”
More than a dozen residents also made their way to the podium, where each logged their concerns, including drunk drivers on Lone Tree Way, more calls for an already-stretched police force, an increase in out-of-town “undesirables,” and the spillover of incidents into the surrounding area.
“These people (bar patrons) will go into WinCo, buy a $5 case of cheap beer and carry on the party in my front yard, in the storage facility and on the streets of Brentwood,” one man said.
Another man, who said he worked for a business near Red Rhino, said the walls of his establishment were being used as a toilet by departing Red Rhino patrons, and predicted another club would mean more problems. He ticked off a list of similar establishments that have failed in Brentwood, adding he was waiting for somebody to “prove to me that a nightclub can work in a community like this.”
Councilmembers were also concerned that the club would make a negative impact on the area, especially when it comes to policing, despite more than two dozen Conditions of Approval placed on the project by the Planning Commission in recommending the CUP. Councilman Chris Becnel said a key issue is that the city currently has no mechanism for following up on CUPs and making certain they are being followed years after their issue. He floated the idea of tabling the appeal until the CUP enforcement issue could be addressed, but found little support. Councilman Erick Stonebarger said he was concerned for the impact on officers, and agreed with residents that the club was not in keeping with the family-oriented community that many of the evening’s speakers cited as their reason for coming to Brentwood.
Councilman Brandon Richey said he had similar concerns, while Taylor flat-out rejected the plan, saying, “I don’t want something like this.”
Brockman, in voting to allow the club, said he understood the concerns, but thought Tran ought to be given a chance.
Saying that the conditions alleged by speakers at the Red Rhino also need to be addressed, and that establishing a CUP enforcement program would do that. He requested a future agenda item so the council can discuss it.
You and I both have something in common, we're looking for the facts. An independent investigation into whether anyone at the city contacted this resident's boss about the public comments she was making on the civic center project would provide that. If it didn't happen, the city shouldn't have any problem with this. Instead, they should welcome and look forward to the opportunity to set the record straight.
The Council should demand the City Attorney or County DA's office investigate the allegations that the City manager's office contacted this person's boss because this individual chose to exercise her constitutional right to express her concerns at a public hearing! After all, the cornerstone of the public process is public participation and that right needs to be protected at all costs!
Fact check! I did look online to check Kathy's comments about the City manager's history at the City of Ventura. It's true, the LA Times and other sources have plenty of online articles and quotes from their City Council who forced her to resign. Some went so far as to say they felt she was running the community instead of taking direction from the elected City council members. Who is running this community, the City manager or the City Council?
In my book, the City borrowing $48 million dollars to be repaid by the residents on their tax bill for years to come is certainly a newsworthy item, as well as the controversy surrounding the size and deed for City Park.
I give credit to Rick for not buying into falsehoods and distortions.
The city just approved borrowing $48 million dollars for the new City Hall. Remember, the project the city told us they were going to use developer fees to pay for?
Guess what? no developer money is being used! The residents are paying for all of it, $48 million dollars plus 7% interest!!! Just look at your tax bills for the codes CFD, BIFA, CIFP if you want to see how much you'll pay every year. Some areas will pay more than others. How much are you going to pay?
If you don't like the taxation without representation, I believe we should urge Kathy Fredenburg to run for City Council in November against Chris Becnel and get Brentwood back on track! She represents the values of the residents of our community. We need to act now to reclaim our community and its reputation as the best place to live in East County!