The property at 320 Sunset was not approved as proposed for restaurant with full bar and beer and wine takeout at the last Land Use and Planning Committee (LUPC) but City approval was given to operate as a commercial bakery with bakery accessory retail.  Venice Neighborhood Council (VNC) will hear the case 19 August.

The property, zoned M-1, was approved 2 May 2013 to be a “commercial bakery with accessory retail” use.  A certificate of occupancy was issued 28 July 2014 stating change of use was from office to “bakery and retail.” This type of permit does not provide for seating service.  None of this went thru the LUPC.

“It got approved because it is “by right” meaning the LAMC allows such a use in this zone and parking was grandfathered,” according to Jim Murez, former member of LUPC.  “This is a fundamental understanding of the system, nothing special nor anything to get upset about.”

After getting approval for the commercial bakery, the applicant decided he wanted, in addition to the bakery, to have a restaurant with a full alcohol license and a takeout license for beer and wine.  The latter part is what was turned down by LUPC and will be heard next week by the VNC.