No more live music at Maison club, Costa Mesa planners decide

Maison, the Costa Mesa venue that operated for a month without permits from the city, will not be allowed to host live musical acts going forward.

After two hours of discussion and dozens of comments from the public Monday night, the Costa Mesa Planning Commission voted 3 to 2 to deny the club a live entertainment permit, which grants businesses the right to host live acts.

The restaurant and bar will still be able to have pre-recorded music from a DJ and dancing, according to city documents.

“I’m having a hard time squaring the compatibility of live music with a residential area,” said Commissioner Colin McCarthy.

Commission Chair Robert Dickson and Vice Chair Jeff Matthews dissented, saying they would prefer allowing the business to operate with city mandated conditions, which would be present in the live entertainment permit, rather than simply allowing a DJ to perform with no municipal control.

The musical venue and bar opened in Costa Mesa at 719 W. 19th Street — the spot previously known as Lion’s Den — in late February. At least four bands performed through the beginning of March, and several other musical acts were booked through May, earning the venue 4.5 out of 5 stars on Facebook and 428 “likes” in the matter of just a few weeks.

However, owner Roland Barrera did not have the required city permit to host live musical acts. He also had not obtained the essential building permits to renovate the 4,200-square-foot space.

When city officials inspected the venue in March after nearby residents complained about “around the clock” construction at the location, they found several problems with the building.

Problems included a single entry and exit door instead of two, a missing knob on a restroom door, no exit signs, tripping hazards, an unfinished floor and issues with the club’s lighting, staff said at the time.

The city fined Barrera $1,050 for seven violations based on noncompliance with various building, fire and life safety codes.

Two days after the initial inspection, the city red-flagged the venue, shutting it down until Barrera came into compliance with building codes and obtained the permits and inspections needed to operate in the city.

Maison has been closed since March and city staff said Barrera is in the process of obtaining the permits.

Barrera apologized to the commission Monday night and asked that they allow him to prove himself as a good neighbor.

“I did not mean to harm anyone,” he said. “I got ahead of myself and made a mistake.”

However, this isn’t the first time Barrera has run into trouble with Costa Mesa officials.

For about five months, Barrera hosted live music shoes and burlesque performances without a permit at his other bar, Casa.

He had a permit for live entertainment at the speakeasy-style bar at 820 W. 19th St., but didn’t remember that it expired Oct.11. Barrera said he noticed the expiration in March and paid the $675 for the permit’s annual renewal.

City staff opted not to fine Barrera for that incident. However, they did put an end to the burlesque-style entertainment that residents say does not fit in with the style of the neighborhood.

Several commissioners indicated Monday that they continue to harbor trust issues and are skeptical of Barrera’s operating style.

“Clearly you got off to a bad start,” Commissioner Tim Sesler said of the operations at Maison. “You cut corners. That has an effect.”

Barrera had hoped that live music would be the cornerstone of his supper club concept at Maison, where patrons can dine and have cocktails while watching bands perform.

Unlike Lion’s Den, which was housed in a plain building with a simple black and white sign, Barrera has plans to upgrade the interior of the building and its façade, transforming it into the style of a French country estate, said his attorney Lisa Salisbury.

With 1920s artwork on display, the venue, which will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, is expected to be reminiscent of the golden age of Hollywood, she said.

“We want the façade, the architecture and décor to enlighten and spark discussion of the arts,” Salisbury said.

Ultimately, the majority of commissioners said Maison, which is about 100 feet from nearby homes on Center Street, isn’t in a location that’s compatible with live music.

Several community members spoke about the noise that permeated from the building during its soft opening in February.

“At first [the concept] sounded awesome,” said neighbor Marissa Rodgers. “It didn’t take more than a week before the music started. My bedroom windows face the bar and even with my windows shut, I might as well be standing in the bar.”

Maison’s supporters said Costa Mesa is in need of a space where the population can enjoy live music in a calm atmosphere.

“A live music venue is a place for artists to go and perform,” he said. “There’s a need for venues of that size in this area. Last time I checked [Costa Mesa] was the city of the arts.”

Barrera can appeal the commission’s decision to the City Council within a week. Salisbury said she is not certain whether they will appeal.