P6 can enclose its patio

Despite nearby residents’ protests, P6 restaurant in Westlake Village won narrow approval Monday from the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission for a patio cover, trellis and curtains.

The vote was 3-2. Commissioners Tom Glancy, Barry Fisher and Daryl Reynolds voted to approve the request. Commissioners Janet Wall and Amy Walker-Davis dissented.

Several residents had appealed to the commission to deny the application, citing continued concerns over noise coming from the restaurant late at night. The restaurant’s patio is 80 feet from the closest dwelling.

Clinton Vance lives directly across the street from P6, which is on Agoura Road near Village Glen. In addressing the commission, Vance explained that most of the noise he hears late at night comes after the eatery has closed as people are leaving, talking loudly–even shouting–as they go to their cars.

Sound studies of the patio during peak summer dining hours indicated no excessive noise levels.

In making the motion to approve the request, Glancy stressed the importance of supporting local businesses. Reynolds and Fisher pointed to other local restaurants that have similar canopies, including Mandevilla, Sisley’s and Roxy’s.

“We don’t want to see any business fail in our community,” Glancy said. “If that patio is 40 percent of the business, then I think we need to do what we can to help the business succeed.”

Walker-Davis disagreed with the studies that showed no increase in noise. “I don’t feel this is the right thing for that neighborhood,” Walker-Davis said.

Wall agreed, citing lack of cooperation on the part of restaurant management with residents when P6 first opened in June 2004.

The relationship between P6 restaurant management and nearby residents has been rancorous from the beginning. Almost immediately, residents began complaining about noise, calling police and P6 owners repeatedly. Some changes were made to reduce noise, but the calls continued, culminating in a complaint filed with the state’s liquor licensing board this summer. In response, the board limited the restaurant’s hours of alcohol sales.

At Monday night’s meeting, residents acknowledged that noise levels had decreased considerably since the change in hours but expressed concern that a patio cover would negate that.

The patio accommodates up to 60 people. It will close at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. According to Brad Finefrock, P6 general partner, the patio represents a large percentage of the restaurant’s business and is filled anywhere from 20 percent to 100 percent depending on weather conditions.

“People love to sit outside,” Finefrock said.