Planning Commission Denies Request by Cloud 9 to Expand Hours, Liquor License

The Fountain Valley Planning Commission voted unanimously at its meeting Wednesday night to deny a request by to extend its hours, expand to a full bar, and host live entertainment.

"It's only been six months," Planning Commission Chairman Ron Walker said. "I really think you need to be a good neighbor and come back when you have some kind of track record."

Cloud 9, which serves beer and wine and is open until midnight, changed hands in August of last year and was hoping to stay open until 2 a.m. and add hard liquor to its offerings. The commission received 14 letters of opposition to the request, mostly from residents of the area directly behind Cloud 9, which is only about 50 feet away.

Dave Vo, speaking on behalf of Cloud 9's ownership, presented the commission with a list of comparable businesses in neighboring Westminster and Garden Grove, most of which were 200 feet or more from residential areas. The only local business cited by Vo was , which is about 300 feet from the nearest residential area, is buffered by a two-story office building, and closes at 1 a.m.

Residents from the neighborhood adjacent to Cloud 9 were out in force at the meeting, and they all echoed similar concerns about the potential for a noise problem. Many told the commission that they already hear considerable noise from Cloud 9, which hosts dancing and karaoke.

A smaller group of residents spoke out in favor of Cloud 9, telling the commission that they could appreciate having a local establishment where they could go to have a few drinks and relax. Micah Wood also suggested that a more progressive attitude toward businesses like Cloud 9 might help the city's overall business atmostphere.

"I think Fountain Valley is a nice place to live," he said. "But I think it could also be a nice place to do business. I like to support the little guy."

A few of the commissioners suggested that Cloud 9 could grow its business by serving lunch rather than by expanding its hours and serving liquor, but there was also an overwhelming sense that, in general, any business resembling a bar might not be welcome in the city.

"This is more of a bedroom community," commissioner Margie Drilling said. "These businesses have to fit into our community."

Commissioner Carol Proctor agreed, and even seemed content to let locals in search of nightlife find it in neighboring cities.

"Fountain Valley has a certain character to it, not like Westminster or Garden Grove or Santa Ana," she said. "I feel very strongly that the people who live in our community come first."