Der Wolfskopf “Restobar” Avoids Revocation Hearing, Hearing Officer Asked to Approve Modified Use Permit

An Old Pasadena restaurant and beer hall which faced revocation of a permit allowing it to operate may be able to stay in business if Pasadena’s Hearing Officer approves a set of conditions city staff has proposed for a modified permit — and if the restaurant abides by those conditions.

Der Wolfskopf, at 72 North Fair Oaks Ave., agreed to work with the Department of Planning and Community Development to correct a number of issues that were allegedly inconsistent with its original Conditional Use Permit.

Pasadena’s Hearing Officer will continue a public hearing on Wednesday, March 2, on the business’s application for changes to the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) #2726, approved in 1993, which several city departments allege Der Wolf violated.

Earlier, the Department of Planning and Community Development had moved to revoke the CUP because of numerous complaints from the public, especially from residents near the business.

The original CUP has been modified a number of times in response to previous complaints and documented violations. The complaints were mostly related to noise and amplified sound, alcohol consumption beyond the approved operating hours, non-compliance with COVID-19 Stay at Home Safer orders, and other unpermitted activities on-site.

Wednesday’s Hearing Officer agenda indicated the business operator has agreed to work with the City to modify the conditions of approval, including reducing its operating hours and closing earlier than usual, eliminating entrance fees or cover charges, and limiting the basement area for dining purposes only, among other conditions, rather than face revocation altogether.

“The business operator displayed a willingness to work with staff to develop modified and new conditions to approval to ensure that the business would operate in a manner typical of a restaurant establishment,” the Planning and Community Development Department said in a staff report for the Hearing Officer meeting on Wednesday.

Also included in the conditions for approval are the prohibition against customer dancing, with live entertainment being limited only to the existing raised platform located in the first floor.

The restaurant’s basement will also be remodeled – including removing existing couches – so that the area will serve only as a restaurant instead of an entertainment and dancing area that the operator had allowed it to be.

The new conditions of approval will also require the City’s Hearing Officer to hold a public hearing six months and 12 months from the date of approval of the changes to the CUP in order to ensure that the conditions are being followed.

The operator will also be required to submit floor plans within 60 days of approval, so the Zoning Administrator can assess whether or not the conditions of approval are being met. A security plan, with a video surveillance plan, is also being required upon advice by the Pasadena Police Department, which at various times had found no licensed security guard on duty at the business during operating hours.

Wednesday’s Hearing Officer meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.

Members of the community may access the live hearing through https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85962550114 or by calling (669) 900-6833 and using the webinar ID 859 6255 0114.

Live public comment is allowed during the meeting, while other comments may be sent by email to htam@cityofpasadena.net.