It continues…

RESTAURATEUR APPEALS PLANNING COMMISSION’s REBUFF

Sala Thai Restaurant & Lounge, rebuffed last week by the Hercules Planning Commission in its quest for a use permit at the historic Civic Arts building, will try its luck with the City Council.

Restaurateur Kay Sala filed a notice of appeal earlier this week, claiming broad community support and faulting the commission for determining that noise, cooking smells, light, traffic and other impacts could not be mitigated sufficiently for the restaurant to mesh with the surrounding residential neighborhood, Hercules Historic Homes.

The council likely will hear the appeal Sept. 9 because the city did not receive Sala’s notice in time for the appeal to be heard Tuesday, and the council typically cancels its August meetings, said City Attorney Mick Cabral.

The commission’s findings echo complaints by Historic Homes residents, who also noted that a restaurant had not been mentioned as a possible use during a commission-sponsored workshop two years earlier.

A city staff report recommended granting Sala Thai a conditional-use permit.

In support of her appeal, Sala attached letters of support, a petition signed by 40 people and an online petition with 80 names.

In a cover letter, Sala promised a large turnout of residents of Promenade and elsewhere in Hercules at the Sept. 9 hearing to voice support.

– Tom Lochner