Jan. 7--BURBANK, Calif.--Even before it opens, the Graciela extended-stay hotel is locked in battle with residents over its application to serve alcohol. 

The Burbank City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing Tuesday night on an appeal filed by the Graciela, seeking to overturn a planning board's decision to limit alcohol to hotel room service. 

Set to open in March, the 101-room hotel located at 322 Pass Ave. had sought permission to also serve alcohol in its lobby lounge in conjunction with high tea. 

Residents have expressed concern about increased traffic as well as negative influences of alcohol in the neighborhood. 

In addition, some are upset the hotel project conflicts with the original development plan, which did not call for food or alcohol service, critics said. 

"It's been a big neighborhood spat over this," said City Manager Robert "Bud" Ovrom, who noted many residents came to a previous council meeting to express their disapproval. 

Mee Lee, a consultant for the Graciela, said if the hotel is to be successful, it needs permission to serve alcohol. 

"Have you ever heard of a four- or five-star hotel that does not serve alcohol?" she said. "That's the kind of hotel we would like to be." 

City staff have recommended that a conditional-use permit be approved for the hotel to serve alcohol in hotel rooms and the lounge area under strict conditions. 

Under the conditions, alcohol service in the lounge would be allowed from 5 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday; 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to midnight Sunday. 

Cocktail parties and formal social gatherings would be prohibited in public areas of the hotel. 

Within six months of its opening, the council will review the conditional-use permit to resolve any issues that have arisen. At that time, the public also will be invited to make comments. 

Sue Georgino, community development director, believes the extra conditions adequately address residents' concerns. 

"The bar area is five stools," she said. "It's not like they are looking to open a BJ (brewery-restaurant)." 

Bar patrons, she said, would be hotel guests. She also noted because alcohol service at the bar can only start after 5 p.m., a nearby child care center and church programs would not be impacted because they would be closed by then. 

Warner Bros.' child care center across the street had initially opposed the alcohol service but has since withdrawn its objection. The Burbank Church of Religious Science could not be reached for comment. 

Without a conditional-use permit, Lee said the hotel would not be able to obtain a license from the state department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. 

"We would like a chance to open. The proof is in the pudding," she said. "Once we open, all the fears people have are not going to be realized." 

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