By Jacob Wilson/Garden Grove Journal
The karaoke wars may have just begun.
Pho Dem, a restaurant in Little Saigon, can have Karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights, despite a 2-1 Westminster City Council vote against the restaurant Wednesday.
The Westminster Planning Commission approved an administrative use permit for Pho Dem, located at 10161 Bolsa Ave, on Oct. 3. The permit allows the restaurant to provide limited live entertainment, including karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights.
Resident Iva Jewell Roberts appealed the decision to the council. She and other neighbors near the restaurant asked the council to overturn the commission’s decision.
“We’re asking you to limit the noise,” Roberts said.
Andy Quach had to recuse himself from the discussion and the vote because he lives within 500 feet of the restaurant.
Most of the remaining council sided with the neighbors.
“We don’t want any business to bring a negative impact to the city,” Mayor Pro Tem Tri Ta said. “I’m going to support the appeal.”
Ta and Rice voted for the appeal, which if approved would have revoked the permit. Councilmember Tyler Diep voted against the appeal.
“The restaurant is restrained in its request,” he said. “To me, it’s worth a try.”
Despite technically winning, the appeal was denied because three votes are needed to overturn a planning commission decision, City Attorney Richard Jones explained.
Mayor Margie Rice advised Roberts and the other neighbors in attendance to call the police if the restaurant is too loud. Noise ordinance laws would still be in effect.
