LA HABRA : City Delays Decision on El Azteca’s Permit

The City Council has postponed a decision on whether to revoke El Azteca Nightclub and Restaurant’s entertainment permit, ordering management to cut off live music at midnight.

Council members said last week that if the establishment receives one citation for playing loud music before the next public hearing, on Aug. 5, Azteca’s permit would be temporarily revoked.

“If a citation is issued, you shut down and it’s done,” Mayor William D. Mahoney told Azteca owner Jorge Rocha, who had asked the council to decide his nightclub’s fate on Aug. 5, after he has a chance to talk to his neighbors.

City officials pointed out that the restaurant’s neighbors called police with complaints of loud music 16 times during May and June.

But Rocha said he is installing sound walls around the nightclub and has been meeting with some nearby residents to discuss their concerns.

“I am going to solve the noise problem,” he said. “You’re not going to be hearing any more complaints in the near future.”

Rocha pleaded with the council to let him keep his entertainment permit, saying the popular Banda music performed at Azteca is the livelihood of his business. “What makes my business function is the entertainment,” he said. “Without entertainment, there is no business.”

The council voted 4 to 1 to continue the public hearing under the conditions that music not be played after midnight, that the music not be amplified and that two security guards be present while the bands play.

Councilman James Flora voted against the delay because, he said, he wanted to require Azteca to stop providing live entertainment and allow jukebox music only.

“I want to see you stay in business,” Mahoney told Rocha. “I’m willing to allow you to continue on, but any citation and we shut you down.”