The Planning Commission voted 5-1 Thursday to continue a public hearing on revoking Downtown Experiment's bar and nightclub permit to March 12, giving the venue's owner more time to prepare.
The business owner and his attorney had requested a continuance to April 23, citing insufficient time to prepare. Attorney Eugene Kim told the commission the revocation notice — sent via registered mail Feb. 6 — wasn't received until Feb. 9, and the staff report wasn't available until Feb. 13.
"This is the first time this issue has even been brought to us," Kim said, adding that police records requested through a public records request won't be available until March 13 — one day after the rescheduled hearing.
Owner Marco McGuire told commissioners he had "no clue this was even in the works" until a few weeks ago.
"I've been here for 20 years, I felt that I had a good name to the downtown," McGuire said. "Just give us a little more time to really give us a fair shot here."
City planner Edgardo Caldera said staff recommended continuing only to March 12, citing what he called ongoing public safety concerns documented in the staff report — including two shootings at the establishment — and the need to address conditions that constitute an immediate threat to public health and safety.
Planning Commission Chair Launa Wilson noted that police response was not the only basis for the revocation proceeding. Caldera confirmed the business owner "should have known" of the various violations cited through prior citations and incidents over several years.
A Riverside Police Department lieutenant said he could not guarantee records could be expedited, citing the volume of reports, potential redactions and active investigations.
The Downtown Experiment permit revocation hearing is scheduled for the Planning Commission's March 12, 2026 meeting.
The committee's vote sends both bans to the full City Council, putting Riverside ahead of state lawmakers who failed to pass kratom regulations last year.
