South Gate Worried about Spillover Effects of Prospective Lynwood Business

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On Tuesday, November 27, 2012, the South Gate City Council agreed to authorize the city attorney to protect South Gate’s interest in relation to any negative effect that could ensue from the presence of an alleged nightclub, that if approved would open on 10700 South Alameda Street, in Lynwood.

“Our neighboring city of Lynwood has a project that is too close to our community, ” said South Gate Vice-Mayor, Gil Hurtado, who cited drunk driving as an example of the several problems that could arise. “The negative impact that it would have on the west side is something that we cant sit back and let happen.”

Lynwood is currently entertaining a zoning action and conditional use permit application for a two story restaurant and banquet facility on the aforementioned address.

In an email authored by Steve Lefever, South Gate Community Development Director, which was provided to Patch by the South Gate City Council, the prospective Lynwood business is hoping to incorporate several amenities.

The email states that the facilities include a restaurant, banquet hall, dance floor, disc jockey area, a license to sell liquor, private security patrols and a large parking lot with about 261 spaces.

The email also stated that South Gate has until December 4, 2012 to submit any comments that it would like to see assessed in the imminent environmental review process of the business.

The South Gate Police Department (SGPD) also expressed concern over the opening of such an establishment. 

The police also said that they are already familiar with the sort of negative spillover effects that will arise, because of what tended to happen several years ago as a result of El Farallon, a now defunct Lynwood nightclub.

“This will absolutely affect South Gate and the quality of life of residents,” said South Gate Chief of Police, Randy Davis during the meeting on Tuesday.  “With respect to cruising and everything else you can think off.”

In an interview with Patch, Jonathan Colin, Lynwood’s Director of Development Services stated that South Gate did not have to worry.

Further adding that Lynwood city staff will be making recommendations to the planning commission that would ensure that the business does not operate like a nightclub.

“We have put some conditions of approval that very specifically prohibit a nightclub,” said Colin.  

Among the specific conditions are meant to ensure the business stay within the parameters of a family oriented restaurant include that the premise not be advertised as a nightclub or leased to a promoter.

The staff will also recommend that it have limited hours of operation, prohibit it from having a cover charge, give it a more stringent type of liquor license and also restrict the type of music events that can be held at the establishment.

“We are requesting that it is treated as a sit down restaurant, ” concluded Colin.

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