Restaurant neighbors prompt Newport Beach response

June Casagrande

CORONA DEL MAR -- Complaints from neighbors of Carmelo’s Ristorante

have prompted the Planning Commission to take a look tonight at whether

the supper club is abiding by the rules of its long-standing permit.

Two residents have complained to city officials about the Coast

Highway restaurant. Gary Martin wrote the city to say that live music at

the supper club often keeps him up until 2 a.m. Walt Naidus then

complained that Carmelo’s patrons create a nuisance.

“They make a lot of noise, they rev up their engines, sometimes there

are fights, and I’m trying to sleep,” Naidus said.

In a letter to the city, Martin argued that the noise and other

problems amount to a violation of the restaurant’s permit.

“But what’s bad for me is that the drums pound through the ground and

our whole house pulsates unbearably,” Martin wrote.

Carmelo’s owner, Judie Manto, said her business is a good neighbor

with a strong commitment to the community.

“We have good relations with our neighbors, and if there’s a problem

we’re most anxious to solve it,” Manto said.

Several years ago, the restaurant added glass partitions and plants to

buffer the noise.

“We’re going to hear the evidence and information and gather as much

input as we can to decide what should be done,” Commissioner Larry Tucker

said.

He said the commission will look at whether Carmelo’s is complying

with its permit. It’s possible, he said, thatterms of the permit could be

reconsidered.

The commission will consider the issue when it meets at 6:30 p.m.

today.

Carmelo’s has been in business at its Coast Highway location for about

22 years. Its permit, which allows live music, was first approved in 1983

and updated in 1990. In response to Martin’s complaints, code enforcement

officers in August measured noise from the parking lot at See’s Candies

and behind Christopher’s II Hair Co. From both vantage points, music from

Carmelo’s was quieter than passing traffic. Carmelo’s noise measured

about 45 to 50 decibels, while traffic measured about 50 to 65.

FYI

* WHAT: Newport Beach Planning Commission meeting

* WHEN: 6:30 p.m. today

* WHERE: Council Chambers at City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.