By Jonathan Friedman
Staff Writer

February 9, 2010 -- The City Council next month will decide on the fate of The Parlor, a popular restaurant/sports bar on Wilshire Boulevard off 15th Street that many neighbors call a nuisance. But an attorney recently hired by the property owner is hoping to delay the hearing for at least 90 days.

Council members on March 9 will be asked to consider an appeal of a September Planning Commission decision that shortened The Parlor’s hours and reduced the number of seats at the establishment.

Attorney Chris Harding, who represents building owner John Makhani, wrote a letter to City Manager Rod Gould and Mayor Pro Tem Pam O’Connor asking for the delay, saying his firm has not had sufficient time to review relevant documents and other materials.

Harding says the delay would be good for everybody involved.

“From our preliminary review of this matter, it is quite clear that there has been a great deal of conflict and emotion surrounding this application and appeal, amongst both opponents and supporters of The Parlor,” Harding wrote.

“We suggest that a ‘cooling off’ period to facilitate additional community process, including a City-sponsored community meeting would be sufficient.”

But as of Monday, Harding’s request was not being granted. Kate Vernez, the assistant to the city manager, said the appeal is still slated for March 9. She added that until the agenda is finalized shortly before the meeting, the schedule remains tentative.

Makhani originally hired Stephen Jamieson of the law firm Solomon, Saltsman and Jamieson for this case. Claire Ragge, owner of the Gas Lite and an opponent of The Parlor, told the City Council at a December hearing that there was a conflict of interest because Jamieson had previously represented her bar.
A full house of The Parlor supporters and detractors attended the December hearing at which the City Council was supposed to rule on the appeal. Council members voted to continue the matter because of a request by Jamieson. ("Council Continues Hearing on Controversial Sports bar," December 14, 2009.)