WHITTIER - Steve's BBQ and Blues Club has passed the first hurdle in its quest to stay open until 2 a.m. seven days a week, with entertainment until 1:30 a.m.
The Planning Commission on Monday agreed to make the recommendation to the City Council.

A request for outdoor dining also would be allowed, pending submission of an arrangement to the city's planning department for approval.

If approved by the City Council, the restaurant would be the only business in Uptown open until 2 a.m. Most other businesses close their doors at 11 p.m.

The restaurant, owned and operated by Steve Hernandez since 2001, is currently open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.

"We have a niche, and that's to be open late offering good food and entertainment," Hernandez said.

The five-member Planning Commission voted 3-2 in favor of the recommendation. Commission Chairman Harry Stone and Commissioner Marcia Scully cast the dissenting votes.

Scully said she was uncomfortable approving a conditional-use permit that essentially goes against what the Planning Commission has discussed regarding business hours in the Specific Plan for Uptown Whittier.

"I have a concern with making exceptions to a plan before approving it," she said.

The commissioners in favor of the recommendation argued that the specific plan is a work in progress, and should reflect a pro-business attitude.
"We should look to accommodate businesses who want to stay here," said Commissioner Fernando Dutra. "Why would we want to impose conditions that would harm businesses?"

Commissioners R.D. McDowell and Tomas Duran said that language extending hours should be added to the specific plan.

"This has opened my eyes as to what we should be offering in Uptown," he said.

"The specific plan is not set in stone," said Jeff Collier, director of community development. "There are still several meetings set for next month and then a public hearing set for May."

The approving commissioners and Collier said past problems at Steve's BBQ should be disregarded since Hernandez has complied or fixed them.

They include past problems with noise, Mongols motorcycle gang members making his place a hangout and not complying with previous conditions, such as having an event with music on an unapproved night.

"That was a different time, and Steve has done a lot to fix things," Collier said.

However, Stone said he was uncomfortable with allowing the extended hours, especially to someone who "thumbed his nose at the rules."