Lucerne Arden Neighbors United in Opposition to Late Hours of Alcohol Sales

Lucerne Arden United, a coalition of residents on Lucerne and Arden Blvds. in Larchmont Village, are united in their opposition to a request for new Conditional Use Permit to allow sales of a full line of alcoholic beverages and sales from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, which was filed by operators of a new restaurant opening in the former FIN Asian Tapas space at 5750 Melrose Avenue.  At the November meeting of the GWNC Land Use Committee, a representative for the restaurant, Matthew Nichols, said restaurateur Houman Arasteh, who operates Eat This Cafe and Bungalow 40 Coffee and Tea Bar in Hollywood, plans to move Eat This into the space, and the change of operator requires re-approval of the CUP.  The old permit had an evening limit of midnight, however, while several nearby restaurants stop alcohol service at 10 or 11 p.m.

The committee voted with a tally of eight in favor and one abstention to recommend that the GWNC board oppose the application, citing concerns about the location’s proximity to neighboring homes, and its lack of on-site parking, which would likely result in late night traffic and noise spilling over into the residential area.

Recently, residents on Lucerne and Arden were asked to weigh in on the issue after a resident circulated a request for support saying the restaurant owners would serve only serve alcohol outside until 12:00 midnight but would continue serving until 2:00 a.m. inside the restaurant.

Block captains Sam Uretsky and Clelia El Adl Clemens of the Lucerne Arden United neighborhood group sent an email to residents on both streets over the weekend, making it clear that the current request to the city is to allow alcohol sales from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. without any conditions on where it would be served.  More than 60 residents responded that they are adamantly opposed to the late hours, Uretsky and El Adl Clemons told the Buzz. In general, they said, residents are concerned about noise and parking, and questioned the business’ need to serve alcohol until 2 a.m.

“No one is opposed to the restaurant,” said El Adl Clemons, “But we heard unanimous opposition to the late hours.”

Uretsky  said the property owner is expected to make another presentation to the GWNC Land Use Committee at their meeting this evening, via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. Click here for more information on how to join the  meeting.  The meeting agenda is available here.