China Harbor approved for nightclub license

Slowly but surely, the Oak Harbor night time venues are getting their proper “nightclub” licensing.

City officials updated the bygone Cabaret Ordinance late last year and granted temporary licenses to nightclub businesses until they could be approved for the new “nightclub ordinance” that was billed as a measure to increase public safety by allowing the city and police department to impose license conditions.

On the flip side, the new license is more costly to business owners and more time consuming for city and police officials, which is why China Harbor operated under a temporary nightclub license until the city council approved its official nightclub license last week.

China Harbor Restaurant owner, Xin Zhao, applied for the license eight months ago, on Jan. 5.

City officials granted the license with two conditions: The restaurant must adhere to all laws, regulations, ordinances and zoning conditions of the state and city; and, it must have least one designated security person on duty, Fridays and Saturdays between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Nine Oak Harbor businesses held the outdated Cabaret License in 2008. So far this year, city officials have granted licenses to Element Nightclub, Oak Harbor Tavern, Mi Pueblo, El Cazador and China Harbor Restaurant.

Three more businesses —Lava Lounge, Flyers' Restaurant and Brewery and TOCGS —are required to get the new licenses, but have yet to respond to two notification letters from the Police Department, according to Chief Rick Wallace.

“The police department is on the verge of having to take enforcement,” he told the council Tuesday.

If the businesses don’t respond soon, they could face a civil infraction for failing to obtain the proper licensing.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.