La Prima can host live music
Neighbor may file appeal of Planning Commission approval
by John Waters Jr.
Editor
After months of meetings, noise, public hearing and lots of criticism, the owners of the Calistoga pizza restaurant La Prima were given some conditional approval to go ahead with plans to host live music once a week by the Calistoga Planning Commission Nov. 16.
“For the most part, I’m satisfied with the decision,” said Aldo Nunez. “We have to do make a few concessions – increase parking, keep an eye on litter, do some soundproofing and a few other little things – but I guess we’re good to go.”
For Nunez, pending one more planning commission review of his plans to sort of sound proof his business, “good to go” means La Prima will be able to host live acoustical music once a week, either Saturday or Sunday, from 5 to 9 p.m.
One resident, however may stand in the way of Nunez moving ahead with his hard-earned pending approval. Mitch Hawkins, and his wife Tracy, who has repeatedly lobbied the City of Calistoga and the planning commission to deny Nunez’s July application to hold live music events said he intends to appeal the planning commission 4-0 approval.
The Hawkins have repeatedly accused the restaurant owners of not being good neighbors. Among the early complaints against granting the live music application, the Hawkins and others cited litter, traffic, a single 2005 count of selling alcohol to an underage Alcohol Beverage Control decoy during a city-wide sting operation that nailed about half a dozen other local businesses for the same offense, and most of all, noise, as their reasons a live music permit application by the Nunez’s should be denied.
Hawkins said he plans to appeal the planning commission conditional approval. He has until November 25 to do so, and has – as of 4:30 p.m. Friday – retrieved an appeal application from city hall.
Aldo Nunez, who has repeatedly stated he wants to do whatever it takes to became a good neighbor, said he doesn’t understand Hawkins’ unwillingness to compromise.
“Now he’s expressed concerns about occupancy level enforcement and other issues,” Nunez said.
Nunez said he has not ruled out filing suit against Hawkins for hampering the growth of his business.