CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Rose Cafe Going to Planning Commission

After months of trying to get the official OK to increase its outdoor seating area, Rose Cafe will get a hearing before the Newport Beach Planning Commission next week.

Last summer, the Corona del Mar donut and sandwich shop expanded its outdoor seating area into parking spots in the lot at 3536 East Coast Highway — a move that patrons applauded because Rose’s frequently is busy with lines for food and waits for spots at the indoor and outdoor tables. But code enforcement officials intervened in late June, likely after a complaint, sources said, sending Rose’s owner to the city to try to figure ways to expand the seating area legally. The problem, besides not having permission to expand, was the restaurant didn’t have enough parking, records state.

Dozens of patrons signed a petition in support of the restaurant, and owner Shawn Lim negotiated for 15 parking spaces next door on Orchid Avenue, across from the post office lot. In December, the city’s planning director granted a temporary approval for the restaurant. Now, the Planning Commission has the item on its agenda for a public hearing on Thursday.

Rose Cafe is seeking a change in its use permit from a full-service, small-scale restaurant to a full-service, high-turnover restaurant, as well as to allow the enlarged outdoor dining area.

Rose Cafe will use parking places in a lot that also serves Landmark Steakhouse. Rose is open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., overlapping Landmark’s hours by two hours — but Landmark has an alternate lot for early customers, according to reports on the city’s website.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers at City Hall at 3300 Newport Boulevard.