Celebrations were cut short at the Enchanté Boutique Hotel this week after the Los Altos City Council decided it would review the hotel's newly amended permit to publicly serve food and drinks.
The Los Altos Planning and Transportation Commission unanimously approved on Aug. 6 a modified use permit for the small "French chateau style" hotel that opened at One Main Street in April. The amended permit allowed the hotel to begin serving food and drink to non-hotel guests in its restaurant and on an outdoor public plaza between 7 a.m. and midnight.
Soon after, the hotel's restaurant, Campagne One Main, began publicly serving beer, wine and small plates between 4 and 10 p.m.
Two City Council members since requested that the amended permit come before the full council at its Tuesday, Aug. 25, meeting.
Jon Maginot, city clerk and assistant to the city manager, wrote in an email Thursday that the council members "did not provide reasons for requesting the review." Mayor Jan Pepper told the Los Altos Town Crier that she supported Councilwoman Megan Satterlee's request for council review because of concerns residents expressed about parking and about the Planning and Transportation Commission approving operating hours beyond what the hotel requested.
"It seems appropriate to have the full public hearing before the council so that all voices can be heard," Pepper told the Town Crier. "I have no opinion either way at this point and look forward to hearing all of the input at the council meeting."
A staff report attached to the City Council's agenda notes that at the Aug. 6 Planning and Transportation meeting, 20 members of the public spoke in support of the modification and one in opposition. The hotel also submitted a petition in support of the use permit amendment with 56 signatures, including from many local business owners, to the Planning and Transportation Commission.
Enchanté ran a full page advertisement in the Town Crier on Aug. 12, calling for support from the community.
"Serving on the Plaza is in PERIL!" the ad reads in large red text.
"This was supposed to be a thank you to all of you who gave your support to the Opening of Services on the Plaza to Everyone as a way to promote vitality and community originally envisioned and approved," the ad continues. "Instead it's a notice to inform you that the City Council wants to re-consider the Planning Commission's decision and will revisit it" on Tuesday.
The Enchanté team would not comment further other than to say they "are eager to open their plaza and serve the community, and are urging members of the community to advocate for a review that upholds the initial decision."
The City Council meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Los Altos City Hall, 1 San Antonio Road.
