August 31, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Palihouse Santa Monica Denied Liquor License At Planning Commission:

Dozens of Santa Monica residents turned out at the Santa Monica Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday night to oppose Palihouse Santa Monica’s application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to sell alcoholic beverages to hotel patrons.

More than 40 members of the public provided comment about the permit that would have allowed the hotel to provide alcoholic beverages to hotel patrons for consumption on the premises in addition to providing hotel patrons with access through mini-bars. 

Planning Commissioners voted 7-0 to deny Palihouse Santa Monica’s permit application.

At Wednesday’s meeting, UNITE HERE Local 11 questioned Palihouse’s lack of community engagement.

The Palihouse Santa Monica, formerly The Embassy Hotel and Apartments, was purchased by Avi Brosh and partner Lighthouse Investments in December 2012. Neighbors to the hotel have maintained a vocal opposition since the hotel’s renovation.

“The Planning Commission’s decision to deny the Conditional Use Permit is a win for the community,” said Melanie Luthern, organizer and research analyst for UNITE HERE Local 11.

According to its website, the Palihouse brand is “[e]stablished with the conviction that neighborhoods, unique experiences and inspiring places are integral to a life well-traveled, the Palihouse brand has been designed so savvy guests can explore the people and places they visit ‘authentically’ – with style, sophistication and individuality.”

Luthern called into question Palihouse’s decision to brand a hotel as a neighborhood experience when residents in the neighborhood claim that the hotel does not belong there.

“The people of Santa Monica expect developers to understand and respond to the community,” Luthern said. “In a politically active community like this one, failure to involve the community can create more than branding and headline risk for investors. This conditional use permit is an entitlement that would have added measurable value to the property.”

Lighthouse Investments LLC is listed on the deed of trust as the owner of the property. Lighthouse Investments is a privately held, national real estate investment and development company based in Los Angeles.

in News
<>Related Posts

SMMUSD Board of Education Changes Start Time for September 4 Meeting

August 30, 2025

August 30, 2025

Residents Can Tune In via Livestream or Make Public Comments Remotely The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District announced a revised...

Pacific Park Ferris Wheel to Glow with 90-Foot American Flag for Labor Day

August 30, 2025

August 30, 2025

The tribute will feature the Ferris wheel’s 174,000 LED lights in a custom computer-generated show of red, white, and blue...

State Launches Task Force to Tackle Homeless Encampments

August 30, 2025

August 30, 2025

The task force, comprising multiple state agencies, will target encampments along state rights-of-way in California’s 10 largest cities Gov. Gavin...

Santa Monica Flea-Borne Typhus Cluster Under Investigation as L.A. Cases Rise

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

County Confirms 106 Cases So Far in 2025 After a Record 187 Last Year Health officials are warning Los Angeles...

CHP Launches Annual Statewide Labor Day Crackdown on Impaired Driving

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

All Available Officers Will Patrol California Roads August 29–September 1 The California Highway Patrol will deploy every available officer this...

Santa Monica Historic District Tour Showcases Early 20th Century Bungalows

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

The Third Street Walk, led by Conservancy board president Mario Fonda-Bonardi, will highlight the architectural and historical significance of the...

Newsom Signs Order to Protect Clean Energy Projects Amid Federal Rollbacks

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

The order aims to secure federal tax credits for clean energy projects before they expire due to HR 1, dubbed...

Muscle Beach Championship Returns to Venice on Labor Day

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

The event will feature competitions across categories including bodybuilding, bikini, men’s physique, classic physique, angel bikini, and couples The iconic...

Film Review: Relay

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

FILM REVIEWRELAYRated R112 MinutesReleased August 22nd This movie plays like a chess game, mentally and physically – on foot and...

Santa Monica’s E-Bike Voucher Program Marks One-Year Milestone

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

A city blog post highlighted personal impacts, with one family avoiding a second car purchase for a commute to Burbank,...

Westside Classics Car Show Set to Roll into Venice Beach

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

The show will feature a curated lineup of vintage sedans, low-slung cruisers, and unique custom builds The Westside Classics Car...

Westside Chefs Shine at the Manhattan Beach Food & Wine Festival in September

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

South Bay’s Culinary Festival Returns With Two Nights of Food, Wine, and Music Santa Monica, Westchester, Los Angeles, and West...

(Video) Public Transit Returns to Pacific Palisades

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

The Return is Part of a Broader Summer Overhaul, Aiming to Boost Connectivity Across the Westside Public Transit Returns to...

Raising Cane’s Plans New Location on 3rd Street Promenade

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

The move marks the chain’s latest expansion in California Louisiana-based fast-food chain Raising Cane’s confirmed to the Santa Monica Mirror...