A proposed late-night bar on El Paseo that drew pushback from nearby business owners and area residents is moving forward. The Palm Desert Planning Commission approved the project this week, after delaying a vote in March.
The Rock’N Avenue bar, which is planned along the high-end shopping and dining area between Larkspur Lane and San Luis Rey Avenue, includes plans for a 1,900-square-foot lounge with seating and a small dance floor that must gain separate approval at city hall.
Its proposed hours are from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily, and it wouldn’t have live music or DJs. Instead, the bar will have low-level background music and TV programming from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., followed by music videos for the rest of the evening.
When plans emerged for the proposal, several nearby business owners and residents raised concerns with the venue’s fit on El Paseo, saying it could create issues related to noise, cleanliness and safety. The project has gained support from other residents, who say the bar would fill a need for more late-night entertainment in the area.
In March, the planning commission delayed a vote on the bar’s conditional use permit to give city staff time to add conditions to the proposal. The project already included some requirements, such as security starting at 9 p.m. and cleanup operations outside the bar.
The commission approved the project at its meeting Tuesday, May 5, after city staff added new conditions, including expanded security at both entrances, installing acoustic wall and ceiling finishes and storefront acoustic curtains, as well as requiring a sound test before the bar can open.
Patrick Masur, the bar’s owner, previously told the commission that he’s aiming for a “high-end vibe” at the venue, which will play music from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Masur came to Palm Desert from South Dakota, where he previously owned a bar in a college town.
“All I’m asking is give me an opportunity to succeed,” Masur told the commission this week. “Let me prove myself, and I won’t let you guys down.”
The project did not draw much vocal opposition during the commission’s meeting this week, which occurred after Masur and his team held a community engagement meeting in April, and a few residents spoke in support of the project. Masur also noted that he started an online petition that gained hundreds of signatures in support of the bar.
The main issue that came up during the latest meeting was finding a designated smoking area for the bar’s patrons. Sheri Pierattoni, the owner of Piero’s PizzaVino, the restaurant adjacent to the bar, thanked the city for its efforts to mitigate any future issues, but she worried about having a smoking area near her family-friendly business.
The planning commission agreed to add another requirement to the project’s approval to have a smoking area and a cigarette disposal bin in the Presidents Plaza parking lot located at least 70 feet away from any of the area’s businesses.
Members of the planning commission thanked the applicant, residents and city staff for their roles in improving the project from when it first arrived at city hall. One member also encouraged Masur to submit plans for the dance floor moving forward.
The late-night bar’s alcohol license will still have to gain approval from the city council and the state prior to opening.
Tom Coulter covers local government and politics for The Desert Sun. Reach him at tcoulter@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Controversial late-night bar on Palm Desert’s El Paseo gains approval
Reporting by Tom Coulter, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
