In a perfect world, the Deer Ridge Clubhouse in the City of Brentwood would have already been renovated and open for business. Instead, it continues to fumble around in the Planning Commission.
On Tuesday night (February 20), the Brentwood Planning Commission will once again discuss the Deer Ridge project.
Last April, Sean McCauley announced plans to turn the rundown building into a restaurant and destination location for a Napa-like experience with a variety of grapes and olives (Its now known the plan calls for the planning of 405 grape vines and 420 olive trees on the property). Basically, an upgrade to the blight and vandalism residents have experienced since its closure.
McCauley also explained prior to purchasing the building, he was told under the current Conditional Use Permit (CUP) that he could build a restaurant and move forward with his plans–the staff report explains this as a “parameter plan”.
By June 6, 2023, Commissioner Rod Flohr requested a review of the CUP and requested staff answer a dozen questions from hours of operation, music and use itself—including Measure Q impacts. Since then, the Planning Commission approved a series of landscaping and outdoor patio improvements on at the site.
Measure Q does not apply to this property due to “vested rights” and so the land use cannot change based on new laws when they were previously approved.
The rub here is that McCauley was given approval by staff, only to be placed on hold which has stalled the project for nearly 6-months. McCauley has stated the restaurant should have been open in January.
Tuesday Night:
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 24-008, approving an amendment to Conditional Use Permit No. 00-04 (CUP 00-04-A1) for the Deer Ridge clubhouse, located at 801 Foothill Drive, south of Balfour Road (APN 007-100-131).
DEER RIDGE CLUBHOUSE
Among other uses, CUP 00-04 allowed for the development of a clubhouse of up to 9,000 square feet, consisting of a “pro-shop, dining room/bar, office and bathrooms, a driving range and putting green, a 500 square foot pool cabana with a 260 square foot restroom facility, and a 4,000 square foot maintenance building.” While the golf course was in operation, the pro-shop, dining room and bar, office and bathrooms, driving range and putting green were all developed. The pool/cabana facility and maintenance building were never constructed.
In addition to permitting construction and use of the clubhouse, the CUP contains 19 specific conditions of approval (see attached Resolution No. 00-57). Construction of the clubhouse and related improvements began in 2002, and was completed in 2004.
The irregularly-shaped 8.34-acre clubhouse parcel is located on the west side of Foothill Drive, approximately ¾ mile south of Balfour Road. It is currently developed with the clubhouse, a parking lot, landscaping, lighting, entry monumentation, cart paths and other hardscape areas, and a vacant pad for a previously approved temporary “hospitality pavilion” that was removed several years ago. While the golf course and clubhouse have been closed for some time, the clubhouse parcel was purchased by Sean McCauley Investments in 2023.
PARAMETER PLAN OVERVIEW
On April 16, 2023, the new property owner sent the City a letter, which was accompanied by a preliminary conceptual proposal for the reuse and redevelopment of portions of the Deer Ridge clubhouse site. The proposal was titled a “Parameter Plan Overview,” and was not a final or complete development application. The property owner asked for staff’s guidance on which of the elements of the “Parameter
Plan Overview” could be allowed under the property’s existing CUP and applicable land use regulations. Among other elements, the Parameter Plan Overview included a proposal to open a new restaurant in the existing clubhouse building and install new landscaping on the property.
Staff responded with a letter that provided guidance regarding which of the proposed uses could be allowed under Measure Q (the ballot measure approved by voters in November 2022) and CUP 00-04, based on the information provided in the Parameter Plan Overview. However, staff noted that it could not provide definitive answers, both because the Parameter Plan Overview was not a final or complete development application, and because the property is covered by Measure Q, which is subject to final interpretation by the City Council.
Project Description
According to the property owner, the clubhouse is intended to operate as a full service restaurant and bar, with outdoor dining and periodic special events (both indoor and outdoor). A full description is attached for what will be known as “The Ridge Grill and Bar.” The restaurant is proposed to utilize both floors of the clubhouse building, or slightly over 8,000 square feet of floor area. This includes seating/dining, a bar, a large commercial kitchen, and restrooms on the top floor. It would also include expanded seating/dining, a bar, and restrooms on the bottom floor. The intent is to provide “casual to fast-casual” dining, with full brunch, lunch, and dinner menus.
The property owner also intends to utilize the existing outdoor patio space on both the north and west sides of the building to enhance the dining experience. According to the property owner, reopening the restaurant and bar will contribute to dining options for west Brentwood residents, as that area is currently underserved. No other changes to the existing site improvements (i.e., landscaping, architecture, parking, etc.) are proposed.
Tidbits:
- Hours of Operation: CUP does not restrict hours of operation for the clubhouse property… however, the property owner has indicated a willingness to clarify that the hours of operation for the restaurant would be until 11:00 PM daily, including holidays. Given the proximity of residential uses to the project site, these hours appear to be reasonable, with the exception that staff would recommend limiting Sunday hours to 10:00 PM
- Noise Impacts: staff recommends that any music (live or otherwise) not extend past 10:00 PM, with the exception of special events.
- Special Events:
- Indoor special events: limited to four per month on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays only.
- Outdoor special events: limited to four per month on the existing patio and lawn areas that surround the clubhouse building. In addition, staff recommends that any music associated with outdoor special events be limited to Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays, only until 8:00 PM.
If You Go
Brentwood Planning Commission Meeting
City Council Chambers
150 City Park Way, Brentwood, CA 94513
Meeting Agenda – click here
Related Deer Ridge Stories
- Jan 16, 2024 – Podcast: Sean McCauley Gives Project Status Updates and More
- Aug 14, 2023 – Deer Ridge Clubhouse Could Be First Test to Brentwood Measure Q
- June 8, 2023 – Brentwood Planning Commission Agrees to Revisit Deer Ridge Clubhouse Permit
- June 5, 2023 – Brentwood Planning Commission to Talk Deer Ridge Club House, Seek Pay Raise
- April 5, 2023 – McCauley Purchases Deer Ridge Country Club in Brentwood
