TEA SPAT NEIGHBORHOOD VENUES RAISES SOME STEAM BY CAROL ROCK STAFF WRITER.

SAUGUS - A tempest in a teapot is brewing in a quiet street near Emblem Elementary School, where a new tearoom is set to open today, despite what a city planner said is a conflict with zoning laws.

Set in a bright yellow house with a pink teapot painted over the garage, Victorian Tea Time is a venture of Carmen Russo, a former caterer with a deep affection for the fragrant brews.

``We can seat 35 to 40 people in here,'' Russo said of the front room, lined with white fence pickets on the walls and filled with tables decorated with lace tablecloths and Royal Doulton china.

But serving dozens of customers tea creates a problem in a neighborhood.

Darin Seegmiller, a Santa Clarita city planner, said the Gavilan Street home is not zoned to permit any sort of restaurant business, which is how a teahouse would be classified.

``It's not a permitted use,'' he said. ``I know there has been at least one call to the Community Preservation Department about it that came from a neighbor. We don't allow businesses in neighborhoods because they impact the traffic. We also don't allow signage.''

Home businesses are allowed in Santa Clarita, but that usually applies to office-type work, Seegmiller said.

``If she wanted to continue the tea parties off-site, that wouldn't be a problem. But doing something like this is like putting a 7-Eleven next door to your house. It destroys the quiet neighborhood and is the whole reason why we have zoning codes.''

Violations can result in stop-work orders or a variety of fines.

Nevertheless, Russo has plans for more intimate tea servings, including corporate luncheons in one of the former bedrooms as well as lavish showers and parties in the landscaped backyard.

``I'm already booked through August for some pretty big parties,'' she said.

An open house is planned from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.

Russo also hopes to hold etiquette classes and seminars, teaching people about tea manners and the history of the drink itself.

Russo said neighbors in the cul-de-sac were aware of her plans and happy because she gives them free tea.

But some interviewed Wednesday appeared concerned.

``Parking is very limited and I'm not sure about the zoning,'' Ken Schoenert said.

``This neighborhood isn't zoned for a commercial venture like that,'' said a neighbor who declined to give his name. ``I saw the teapot on the house, but I had no idea that she was going to open a tearoom here.''

Russo came to America nine years ago and went to work for Barnaby's in Manhattan Beach, where she was given the task of reviving the afternoon tea traditions. She consulted Penelope Carlevato, an Englishwoman considered a tea authority, and brought her in as a speaker to kick- start the program. In just short of four months, the teas were a successful attraction at the hotel.

Having a teahouse eliminates the biggest challenge to Russo's previous tea ``consults,'' transporting everything needed to create a Victorian tearoom in someone else's home or facility.

``They usually love it, having tea in their own house, but it's going to be nice here,'' she said.

The health benefits of tea far exceed the dose of antioxidants in each cup, said to fight cancers and boost nutrition. Russo said the best part of tea is forcing people to take a moment and just sit down.

``I want to create a relaxed atmosphere, like a spa for the soul and the stomach,'' she said.

Guests will arrive through a shaded entryway planted with flowers and greenery; a small boutique area features large glass canisters with various loose teas along with intricate pots and cups for sale.

Neighbor Doris Schoenert was more optimistic than her husband.

``I don't mind; they're really nice people,'' she said.

``It can't be any worse than having the school here,'' Ken Schoenert said, referring to traffic.

Russo said she plans to tell guests to park on Espuella Road and to use the parking lot at adjacent Emblem Elementary, which is scheduled to be closed for construction for a year.

``There is plenty of parking,'' she said.

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

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(1 -- 2 -- color) Former caterer Carmen Russo, above, today will be opening Victorian Tea Time, a tearoom set in a bright yellow house on a quiet street in Saugus. The teahouse will be filled with tables decorated with lace and tableclothes. At left, a teacup awaits some of the steaming brew.

(3 -- color) Some classic teas are on display at Victorian Tea Time.

David Crane/Daily News