Billiard Plaza CUP

A local building inspector and longtime friend of the owners said the hall is a community institution that was essential during COVID and deserves approval.

A resident and 10-year regular called the pool hall a family-friendly gathering place that brings outside visitors who spend money in Simi Valley.

Said the owners raised over $7,500 for him during a serious illness, urging approval to keep the hall in Simi Valley.

Runs the hall's largest pool league with over 2,000 customers and said the venue builds community across generations.

Plays in the league with her dad and said it's a quiet, family-friendly spot.

Argued a 10 p.m. closing would kill the business and that keeping 2 a.m. hours keeps sales tax and visiting players' spending in Simi Valley.

A 30-year resident who takes his grandkids there said the place is quiet and safe.

Lives in the marketplace adjacent to the hall, about 200 feet away, and said she has never heard noise or complaints from neighbors.

Said the hall became his family after he moved here and urged the commission to consider the owners' livelihood.

A patron of 10+ years said the owners supported him quitting drinking and that the hall is quiet and welcoming.

An employee of the hall described its camera surveillance and attentive staff, and said the door stays shut so noise isn't an issue.

Said the current business is nothing like rougher pool halls of the past and called it a second home.

The only opposition speaker: a 25-year Hildale resident who supports the business but fears 2 a.m. parking-lot noise — slamming doors, engines — waking the neighborhood, citing past problems with a hookah lounge and Burger Express.

A five-year league member who said he's never seen conflict or trouble there and dismissed old pool-hall stereotypes.