Huntington Park planning commission approves El Encanto’s beer-and-wine permit, limits hours to 10 p.m.

On Feb. 18, 2026 the Huntington Park Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for on‑sale beer and wine at a proposed restaurant, El Encanto, located at 6034 Santa Fe Avenue, with conditions that limit closing time to 10:00 p.m. and restrict alcohol to beer and wine served in conjunction with food. Commissioner Estrada moved to approve the permit; Commissioner Tapia seconded and the motion passed by roll call.

Associate Planner Jordan Martinez told commissioners the application (PC‑202506CUP) was filed in the name of Jose Esteca Angeles and describes a 2,337‑square‑foot restaurant in a commercial general (CG) zone. Martinez said the applicant originally requested operating hours of noon to 2:00 a.m., but staff recommended conditioning any approval to close at 10:00 p.m. because the property sits within about 15 feet of nearby residences. “The restaurant focuses on Mexican seafood cuisine,” Martinez said, and added that alcohol must be auxiliary to food service under city code and that windows and signage installed without permits will require review.

The staff report listed required findings for a conditional use permit, noted the project is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (Article 19, Section 15301: existing facilities), and recommended conditions addressing noise, back‑door use and entertainment. Martinez said staff would require the rear door to function as an emergency exit and remain closed during operating hours, prohibit dancing or entertainment without a separate permit, and require sign and window permits. He also said the code’s parking calculation yields an approximate need for 13 spaces and that no parking agreement on file assigns spaces to the new tenant.

Applicant representative Ted Moreno, who identified himself as speaking on behalf of the owners, said the partners have deep ties to the community and had invested heavily in the project. “We are requesting, you know, late hours; they’ve done a large investment into this property and, they want to be able to, you know, slowly make their money back,” Moreno said. A co‑applicant described the menu and the food‑driven concept. Jose Esteca Angeles, the named applicant in the filing, later asked the commission during public comment for at least midnight hours and said he had spent roughly $400,000 on the project and was paying monthly rent with no income.

Commissioners raised concerns about precedent, loitering and police resources if later hours were allowed next to residences. Commissioner Carvajal said 10:00 p.m. “seems pretty adequate,” citing neighborhood quality and the proximity of homes; Commissioner Tapia and others echoed that hour as appropriate to limit noise and other impacts. Commissioners also asked whether existing nearby businesses operate as late as 2:00 a.m.; staff said they did not identify other establishments in the same zone that close that late.

The commission discussed state Alcoholic Beverage Control licensing categories and conditioned the CUP to permit beer and wine only, sold in conjunction with food. Staff noted the appropriate ABC license for a restaurant sale of beer and wine would typically be a Type 41 and recommended the condition that the alcohol sales be limited to beer and wine with food. The commission included that limitation in the motion.

Commissioner Estrada moved to approve PC‑202506CUP with conditions limiting alcohol to beer and wine in conjunction with food and setting operating hours in accordance with staff recommendations (10:00 p.m. closing). Commissioner Tapia seconded. The commission took roll call and approved the permit with the stated conditions; the chair’s statement recorded that appeals may be filed within 15 days of approval.

Several members of the public asked the commission to reconsider the decision after the vote, including a former city commissioner who urged the body to allow later hours to help attract business to Pacific Boulevard. The commission declined to reopen the item and proceeded to other agenda business. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

The permit approval is conditioned on the staff recommendations discussed at the meeting, including the 10:00 p.m. closing hour, no bar‑style operation, emergency‑exit‑only rear door during operating hours, sign and window permits, and parking considerations.