[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6155714,"mediaKeyId","5473724-8ff79645ca1faf77c624efc73bfc356e","parentId",5473724,"title","Planning Commission approves Muchas Gracias restaurant CUP modification with six‑month staff check-in","audioSeconds",2377,"startMs",1972190,"endMs",4349255,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5473724-8ff79645ca1faf77c624efc73bfc356e&start=1972&end=4349","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5473724-8ff79645ca1faf77c624efc73bfc356e/thumbnail_1972190.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6155714/Whittier-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Planning-Commission-approves-Muchas-Gracias-restaurant-CUP-modification-with-sixmonth-staff-check-in","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155714-3b81ab45832e6586bed809db966e416b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775552579&Signature=Dl2xqTo0sZTCWSyLANlxl2j6H2WGbH21zHDMB5jFgRMAek6vt4pbG9WZCzL3wCETDks8yYXQ~nGim6W9dsZPzbYJfqg~10JDSU6ToE3H5k6ReZLTFe0LUgekqpBOfXRNnRyj2s5PVsqH1mvcUC6z6Dqf95PxS9Un-2QAAO6Fpoaro~CUMiiki9VfipUbuhTMdDTPGCSbbnkN0vS8LNWEeuTFD-evBwJMKWPoztr78-J78ldT8l-fxPmEQwcS~c3btDw3zQrS03EOHozhYrbivkac85JeXtM0MqAY4vbY9RkSsXwuHuq09HTJvgC05F6vMyGM7D1UkZ2GUg1xDqJNdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Whittier City, CA","date","2025-07-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Planning Commission approved a modification to the conditional use permit (CUP) for the restaurant Muchas Gracias, located at 7039 Greenleaf Avenue, with amended conditions and a staff check-in at six months.

Senior planner Monica Rivera told commissioners the application, continued from the June 2 meeting, requested interior floor-plan adjustments, sale of alcoholic beverages under a Type 47 ABC license, live entertainment and extended hours of operation. Rivera said the applicant is Jesse Carrillo; the owner is listed as The Enterprises LLC and the operator as MG Hotel Group LLC. The zoning is Uptown Specific Plan.

Rivera said the applicant submitted a noise assessment by a certified acoustical engineer. The report concluded no mitigation measures were required, but staff recommended additional conditions because the city had previously received noise complaints about the property. Conditions include keeping doors and windows closed during live entertainment (except for ingress/egress), limiting live entertainment to a 60-square-foot area, requiring weather-stripping on doors and windows, and a requirement that live entertainment cease one hour before closing. Staff also noted the project was found categorically exempt from CEQA as an existing facility.

Applicant Jesse Carrillo (architect) told the commission the interior layout was modified to add seating but did not increase occupant load from earlier submittals. Carrillo said the rear parking area is currently inaccessible because landscaping remains in place but that space will be cleared as part of permitting to allow staff parking and to remove an unauthorized outdoor entertainment area that previously generated noise complaints. Carrillo said the acoustical analysis used worst-case simulations and that the intention is to operate as a restaurant rather than a nightclub: “The idea is not that we're turning this place into a nightclub. ... The idea is that they are able to provide music, within the restaurant.”

Commissioners asked how the city would verify compliance if neighbors complained. Staff said the city has no dedicated noise-monitoring instrument and would rely on code enforcement to respond to complaints; staff also recommended a one-year administrative check-in is customary, but commissioners requested staff report back in six months to confirm compliance. The commission added a condition to require the applicant to secure building-permit and health-department approvals before opening.

Commissioner Borsey moved to approve the CUP modification with the added six-month staff review; the motion was seconded and passed in a roll-call vote with Commissioner Borsey, Commissioner Connolly and Chair Luis Rodriguez voting yes. The resolution identifying the commission’s approval notes that the decision may be appealed to the city council within 30 calendar days.

Also at the meeting staff said item 6a (a different restaurant application to amend a floor plan and extend hours) was withdrawn at the operator’s request and will be re-noticed and re-circulated at a later date.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission 7/21/2025 6:00:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit modification for Muchas Gracias at 7039 Greenleaf Ave. The approval includes conditions limiting live entertainment, requiring doors/windows remain closed for performances, noise-mitigation measures and a staff check-in at six months.","taxTitle","Whittier City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",4517,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6155719,"Residents urge city to preserve Greenleaf ficus trees; petitioners say more than 7,000 signed",990,252340,1242340,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5473724-8ff79645ca1faf77c624efc73bfc356e&start=252&end=1242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5473724-8ff79645ca1faf77c624efc73bfc356e/thumbnail_252340.jpg","/articles/6155719/Whittier-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Residents-urge-city-to-preserve-Greenleaf-ficus-trees-petitioners-say-more-than-7000-signed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155719-6336adefec2ff690490c6c390d34336c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775552579&Signature=eQt8ywWVeNt~MZ-Yq13g-gbkv8VwbMv-WjBjt5qXdjxtKXsfDV5hWWoNoEKJecELoG5sP8kWp8Y6nKXnwJ8KRC4ORI5iH8hkq6avsaZvOQ398bIShYJMD36EIxAwCXf6daGcmYpG7VPP4k~0mcDgrl8grHUN58AskVNIr1523feFk4Nvfu7QMj0hxjJAVYvfC1qeu~j53Y3VElt0tj1ntrvuheZNhyl-QOLNgzBOw0h~pZk9X-zEPqtVfkHDKl9ekcPeR8YoU3YDNtMCL0nIQEzVVVn3C7n8Wm5UQnCKXrF9SMOpp3SWjfw2nAyqgut-yTx9vBijc7YybglevUJtZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment at the Planning Commission meeting, several residents urged the city to preserve longstanding ficus trees along Greenleaf, Wardman, Philadelphia and Bailey streets, saying the canopy provides shade, reduces heat and contributes to neighborhood character. One speaker said, “We have over 7,000 petitioners that don't want that to happen,” and asked commissioners and the mayor to halt tree removal plans.

Speakers stressed that shade from trees helps residents who do not have air conditioning and that removal would leave a “bare building look.” Remarks appeared repeatedly in public comment; residents asked commissioners to represent neighborhood preferences to the city council and mayor.

Commissioners and staff did not take action on the topic at the meeting. Chair Luis Rodriguez noted the commission’s role is to review projects against code and conditions of approval; public comment items outside the agenda were recorded. The city attorney reiterated that under the Brown Act the commission cannot act on non-agendized items but may refer them to staff for follow-up or a future agenda.

The transcript contains multiple appeals from residents on tree preservation and at least one public speaker’s claim of a petition with more than 7,000 signatures; the commission did not verify that number during the meeting. Staff told the public that written comments were received and would be added to the record.","Multiple residents urged the Planning Commission to preserve ficus trees along Greenleaf, Philadelphia and Hadley, saying trees provide shade and cooling; speakers said there is a large petition opposing planned removals. No decision was taken during public comment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6155723,"Whittier residents call for planning commissioner Richard Quirk’s removal after social-media posts; commission declines immediate action",1335,348854,1684590,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5473724-8ff79645ca1faf77c624efc73bfc356e&start=348&end=1684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5473724-8ff79645ca1faf77c624efc73bfc356e/thumbnail_348854.jpg","/articles/6155723/Whittier-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Whittier-residents-call-for-planning-commissioner-Richard-Quirks-removal-after-social-media-posts-commission-declines-immediate-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155723-19bbc23c9ed393211507084076fc67d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775552579&Signature=Hn~fknwXFYZ5C6bf4Zh0AFRaczIA2x4dn6pEbMS8tzoDkvjJFJibaWR~fu~24DQHK36qhN7hZi0LGqvnS6UpbTlBAoBhFKDUP0FFHpbd2ZDLhIjNZcWKwbZd~-3kOc5yRiTi18B6NIy63eyVr9YWbwxMT2JaCNWuS-OKIPvT99a9NUZzcjpTxnx6iQ57auZpaJB1cJxQVth1w48C64V9xw3pM7i2BxQygFXeYLru1LMN8x0MWvHZYpKbUqmQe5LiI3hMpyUBxVduYsCtYjzqovOn3isloKyDpJpF9uwfq5Ype0Elz5zt9iS5aYpaqytAGuurb9R3DhvFYlkNqzjY8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chair Luis Rodriguez opened public comment at the Whittier Planning Commission meeting and heard repeated calls from residents for Commissioner Richard Quirk to resign or be removed after social-media posts that commenters described as racist. The commission did not take formal action on the calls, citing the Brown Act’s restrictions on taking up items not on a published agenda.

The public attorney reminded the commission that, “Pursuant to the Brown Act, the commissioners are prohibited from discussing or acting on an item or expressing consensus or approval or disapproval on any communications received from the public that do not appear on the duly noticed and published agenda.” Chair Rodriguez and staff confirmed written public comments were received and would be added to the record.

Speakers at the meeting identified themselves as residents and community members and recounted the posts and videos. Jenny Martin said, “I must request that … Mister Richard Quirk stepped down or resigned from his position.” Another commenter urged removal, saying Quirk’s social posts “undermine the integrity of the planning commission.” Multiple speakers said the posts created a hostile environment for immigrant residents and demanded immediate action by the commission or city council.

Speakers also criticized other local officials; one public commenter urged broader changes in city leadership and described the conduct as part of “corruption” in Whittier. Commissioners listened but did not debate or vote on removal. At the close of public comment, Chair Rodriguez noted the commission’s role reviewing projects and reminded speakers that items not on the agenda could be referred to staff for follow-up or scheduled for a future noticed agenda.

The transcript shows no motion, referral, or formal investigation of the allegations during the meeting. Staff said written comments would be entered into the record; the commission noted it could ask staff to put an item on a future agenda if it wished. No date was set to agendize the subject.

The meeting therefore produced public record of community concerns about Commissioner Quirk but no immediate disciplinary or removal action by the Planning Commission.

Residents and others who raised the issue said they expect the city or council to act; commissioners and the city attorney limited their responses to procedural options and the avenue of referring matters to staff or placing them on a future published agenda.","Multiple residents used public comment at a Planning Commission meeting to demand that Commissioner Richard Quirk resign or be removed after social-media videos; commissioners said Brown Act limits prevented immediate action but noted written comments would be added to the record.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning Commission approves Muchas Gracias restaurant CUP modification with six‑month staff check-in

Residents urge city to preserve Greenleaf ficus trees; petitioners say more than 7,000 signed

Whittier residents call for planning commissioner Richard Quirk’s removal after social-media posts; commission declines immediate action