“This is a big win for Time Out, a big win for the community and for the Mandarin area,” said owner Matt Harris, who applied for the zoning exception and waiver.Īnother 10, half as many who spoke against his plan at the first meeting, voiced opposition. Ten friends and family spoke on Harris’ behalf telling the commission that he is of the Jewish faith, he grew up in Mandarin and that he is a man of good character who is respectful of the neighborhood.
■ A proposed charity basketball tournament that was to be held in the restaurant parking lot would be removed from the plan. ■ Where legal, Harris would pay for “no parking” signs placed in the neighborhood. ■ The planned 45 patio seats would have been reduced to two or three picnic tables. ■ The proposed outside bar would have been removed. ■ A 6-foot wood or vinyl fence would be built along Haley Road next to the sidewalk and be landscaped on the restaurant side of the fence. ■ The proposed patio would have been moved from Haley Road toward the center of the building fronting San Jose Boulevard. The commission deferred the zoning changes at the April 22 meeting so that Harris could address community concerns.Īt the beginning of the May 6 meeting, Rogers Towers attorney Wyman Duggan listed concessions Harris was willing to make: near Hodges Boulevard, agreed to hire at his expense a crossing guard on Friday evenings and on high holy days to help observant Jews cross San Jose Boulevard to reach the synagogue. Harris, who owns the Time Out Sports Grill on 13799 Beach Blvd. Neighbors were concerned that a sports restaurant would attract too many customers who might endanger pedestrians along Haley Road. That includes using street crossing signals. Many of the residents in the area are Orthodox Jews who do not drive or use electricity during the Sabbath. Time Out Sports Grill Mandarin is planned at 10140 San Jose Blvd. The site is a closed Village Inn restaurant.