LA HABRA : Casa Carrillo Gets Permit for 2 Parties

Casa Carrillo Restaurant has been granted a temporary permit to provide live and recorded music for two family parties to be held at the restaurant this month.

The City Council issued the permit last week as a test of whether the establishment, which was denied a permit six months ago, can hold orderly parties at its La Habra Boulevard location.

Casa Carrillo, which had an entertainment permit two years ago, lost it last year because of residents’ complaints about noise, loitering, littering, public urination and inadequate parking.

The restaurant’s owner, Jose Carrillo, tried for a year to win approval of another entertainment permit, but finally gave up in March, ending his fight to have live music at his eatery.

At a public hearing in February, the council refused to grant a permit for live and amplified dance music, telling Carrillo to seek a permit for softer mariachi music, which does not require amplification.

Carrillo applied for such a permit but withdrew his application when it became clear that even mariachi music would not win council approval.

At a public hearing four months ago, Councilman William D. Mahoney said he didn’t like mariachi music and that Carrillo should cater to customers who enjoy eating Mexican food without having to hear mariachis.

Since then, Carrillo has played only recorded background music at his restaurant.

The temporary permit granted last week allowed for a live four-member band without amplification and recorded music spun by a disc jockey until 11 p.m. on two Saturdays this month.

“We’ve had a great number of problems in the past” with Casa Carrillo, City Manager Lee Risner said. “If this does not work well, it’s going to be very, very difficult to grant a permit for any kind of entertainment” in the future.

Carrillo’s son, Jose Carrillo, told the council he did not expect his neighbors to complain about loud music or disorderly conduct during the two private parties because he planned to halt the music at 11 p.m. and keep the noise levels down so neighbors won’t hear it.

After the council granted the temporary permit, Mayor David M. Cheverton said it was “a good way to test the good neighbor policy.”

Police will issue a report on how many complaints are received from neighbors, Risner said.