Dana Point seeking changes at popular night spot
In response to what city staff calls "undue demands on the city's police services," Dana Point is seeking changes at Hennessey's Tavern and its associated restaurant, The Fish Bucket.
The Planning Commission on Monday night will consider modifying the conditions of the conditional-use and coastal-development permits at both businesses, which are next door to each other on La Plaza. The commission will meet at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 33282 Golden Lantern. See the full agenda here.
The meeting comes about a month after three Marines were killed in an alcohol-related car accident early Feb. 14 on nearby Street of the Golden Lantern.
If the amendments are approved, the bar and the restaurant would have to submit a plan implementing more than a dozen conditions within 30 days in order to remain in operation.
Among the possible conditions:
• Eliminating live DJ music indoors
• Closing by 12:30 a.m.
• Erecting a wall between the restaurant and bar
• Installing round-the-clock security cameras
• Providing sufficient lighting "to make easily discernible the appearance and conduct of all persons on or about the patio area"
Some of the changes were suggested by Paul Hennessey, who owns Hennessey's and The Fish Bucket, after the city asked him to provide recommendations to improve safety. Hennessey did not return calls seeking comment Monday.
City staff determined that increased law-enforcement calls to the property were "jeopardizing the health and safety of the community while placing undue demands on the city's police services," according to a report from the Community Development Department.
Police calls have increased 57 percent in that area in the past two years, according to a report. The Orange County Sheriff's Department provides police services for the city.
In 2011, there were 314 calls for service at the property, according to public records. Vehicle-code violations and tows accounted for about half of those, and 43 of the calls were about unspecified disturbances. Seven calls were reports of assault and battery, and eight were reports of petty theft, the city said.
Hennessey's Tavern has 10 locations across Southern California – three of them in Orange County.
The Dana Point location is one of the town's most popular night spots, often featuring live entertainment on its outdoor patio. Records from the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control show the site has been licensed to sell alcohol as a general eating place since 1995. That means quarterly gross sales of alcohol cannot exceed the quarterly gross sales of food.
Contact the writer: fshyong@ocregister.com or 949-492-5135
