Planning commission backs Max Barge with noise and hours conditions after neighbor concerns

Mister DeHaan, the Planning Director, briefed council on a Planning Commission recommendation to approve a conditional use permit for a restaurant at 4300 Cali Avenue under new ownership. The commission’s recommendation was unanimous, 7–0, and included conditions to mitigate potential noise impacts to nearby Colonial Place and River Ucivica Lake-area residents. DeHaan summarized the applicant’s proposal: operating hours of 6:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, alcohol sales on-premise until midnight, and a mix of live entertainment options including bands, karaoke, comedy and poetry. "There is a condition that limits outdoor dining from 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday," DeHaan said, adding that "all doors and windows are to be closed by 9 p.m. to limit the noise impacts, and all entertainment will only be indoors. There will be no outdoor entertainment." The nut graf: Neighbors and the Highland Park civic association submitted opposition related to the site’s history of noise under previous operators; the Planning Commission placed time and operational limits on the new owner to reduce potential disturbances while allowing the business to operate under new management. Council discussion acknowledged the site’s history; one member noted that while the new owner emphasizes a break from past operations, residents’ "short memories" and prior late-night noise informed the commission’s careful conditions. DeHaan and council members signaled that if the business meets conditions, it could seek looser restrictions in the future through a formal application process. The Planning Commission recommendation will be transmitted to the City Council for final action at a future meeting; the work session did not include a council vote on the conditional use permit.