Big Bear Lake, CA, July 15, 2016 – On July 11, the Big Bear Lake City Council approved a new wine room and restaurant at 560 Pine Knot Avenue in the Village.
The facility for Dave Stone’s latest venture, called the Black Kat, was approved through a plot plan review by the Big Bear Lake Planning Commission in May. That decision was appealed to the council by Bill Young, a lodge owner on the north side of the new facility. Young cited noise, music, and trash pick-up times among other issues he was concerned with. The appeal was first heard June 27 and continued to July 11 to gather more information.
Following Council and staff discussion, opening a public hearing and receiving public testimony, and closing a public hearing for further discussion between Council and staff; present Council unanimously voted, with Council member Rick Herrick recusing himself from the discussion due to conflict of interest, to uphold the Planning Commission’s original decision approving the conversion of three of the five tenant spaces within the existing building into a full service restaurant and wine bar, and to construct an outside patio on the property.
