Restaurant Sues City Over Permit
A Mexican restaurant threatened with loss of its live entertainment permit has sued the city in federal court, alleging violations of free speech and other rights.
Via Maria nearly lost its permit twice last year after the City Council called review hearings in response to complaints of noise and fights in the Ball Street restaurant’s parking lot. A third review is set for later this month.
The restaurant’s owners say they have done everything city officials have asked of them to reduce noise and other problems. They contend in the lawsuit that they’ve been unfairly subjected to the repeated reviews and that the loss of the permit could lead to the ruin of their business.
City officials have said they followed city laws in holding the hearings. Attorneys for the city and the restaurant could not be reached for comment.
City Council members will meet in closed session Monday to review the lawsuit. The public portion of the meeting begins at 7 p.m. at 5275 Orange Ave. Information: (714) 229-6700.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
