Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 07/14/1999 All articles from this issue

City moves to shut down 'crowded' Club Mirage

printer friendly version

By Joanne Griffith Domingue / Town Crier Staff Writer

After months of complaints and enforcement efforts, the Los Altos Police Department turned to the city council for help in shutting down Club Mirage, a Los Altos club and banquet facility on El Camino Real.

Since January, police have had at least 60 calls regarding the club, resulting in "DUI arrests, assaults, warrant arrests and public accidents," said Los Altos Police Chief Lucy Carlton.

Neighbors have called the police at least 20 times about "loud music. The business backs up to a residential area," said Los Altos Police Sgt. Mark Macaulay.

"The original license is for a restaurant," Macaulay said. The license was approved Nov. 19, 1997, and the business opened as Healthy Choice Kabob House. "Since then, it's been a nightclub," Macaulay said.

In May 1999, owner Javad Mehranfar changed the name of the business to Club Mirage and listed the business as a restaurant and club.

"The business remains exclusively a nightclub with no restaurant, in violation of the zoning requirements," Carlton said.

At its June 22 meeting, the council voted to initiate the process to revoke the conditional- use permit held by the club, located at 4926 El Camino Real. The council referred the matter to the planning commission for a hearing, which is scheduled for Aug. 5.

Tony Lagorio, attorney for Club Mirage and former city attorney for Los Altos, said he sees the main issue for the club as crowd control. Police agree they have concerns about crowds growing beyond the limit of 300.

On June 12, police talked with a security officer at the club and "his count inside the club was 667 and climbing," Carlton said.

Joe Mehranfar, a nephew of Javad, said the numbers are inflated because no one's counting the people who leave. Using a clicker, the club's security people count "everyone coming in but don't count people going out," he said.

Club owners confirmed that police have been to the club. "They just said, 'Lower your music.' We did. They said, 'Thanks,' and left. We have never had any problems."

In addition to the city's enforcement efforts, the county health department and the state's Alcohol Beverage Control department have also been investigating the club, Macaulay said.

The owner's liquor license is for a restaurant, Macaulay said, which stipulates that it "must operate during reasonable hours. But he opens his club at 9 p.m."

The club is open until 2 a.m.

According to Macaulay, the county health department has been looking at the club's cooking facilities.

"The only food given out or sold is something grilled on an outdoor barbecue. And the health department says you can't do that," Macaulay said.

Lagorio arranged for the Town Crier to tour the club, including its kitchens. One looked dusty and unused. According to Ali Mehranfar, brother of Javad, all food served at the club is cooked in the other, the club's main kitchen.

Club Mirage has three dance floors and three bars. On Saturday nights, the club offers live salsa bands.