Plans for Proposed Hookah Lounge in Fountain Valley Up In Smoke?

The Fountain Valley City Council earlier this week voted to appeal a decision by the city's planning commission, which had recently approved the opening of Paparazzi Mediterranean Restaurant and Café and hookah lounge. 

Now, the restaurant's Egyptian owners are frustrated, and are unsure if they are going to open their restaurant in any capacity. 

According to the Orange County Register, the planning commission approved the project after the El Malak Co. complied with more than 60 different stipulations, including no amplified music, an 11:30 p.m. closing time, and using the back parking lot, which is adjacent to a residential area, for valet parking only as a way to mitigate noise. 

The restaurant would be located at 8780 Warner Ave.

Elizabeth Elgergawe, one of the group's owners, told the newspaper that she feels they have done more than required to comply with the planning commission's mandates – some of which she believes are unfair. 

“The conditions are very difficult for any business to meet, but under the circumstances we have gone above and beyond to be considerate to the city and the neighbors,” Elgergawe said.

“Middle Easterners and Mediterraneans typically take late lunches and late dinners,” Elgergawe told the commission. “If we ask our guests to leave at 10 p.m., we won’t get any business.”

Michael Vo was the only councilmember to vote against the appeal, saying that he thought the planning commission's decision for approval was the right one, and adding that he hoped to "give [the owners] a chance."

None of the homeowners in the area have complained about the proposed restaurant, either to the city directly or at any city meetings, according to the newspaper.