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Neighbors press commission on parking, traffic and safety; Amapola restaurant hearing continued
Summary
The commission received extensive public opposition to a proposed 20-seat restaurant at Amapola Market (CUP 1004) focused on chronic parking, holiday congestion and public-safety concerns; staff noted revised conditions addressing peak-season management and the commission continued the public hearing to Sept. 2, 2026 to pursue additional parking analysis and interjurisdictional coordination.
The Paramount Planning Commission heard hours of testimony from neighbors before deciding to continue the public hearing on Conditional Use Permit 1004, a proposal to open a 20-seat restaurant inside the Amapola Market complex at 13729 Garfield Ave.
Associate planner Leslie Corrales described the proposal and staff's recommended conditions, including seasonal-hour adjustments and a formal seasonal parking-management plan with a February 2027 review. "The seasonal parking management plan shall formalize and expand all peak season operational measures," staff said, noting the site provides 74 parking spaces but that December masa sales create recurring peak congestion.
Neighbors cited repeated parking overflow, blocked driveways during holiday peaks, delays for emergency responders, trash and loitering and concerns that another restaurant would worsen these issues. Resident speakers described years of disruption: "It's a nightmare," one longtime neighbor said of holiday congestion. Jaime Lopez, a managing partner for Lamapola LLC (the property owner), urged that opening the vacant suite would reduce loitering and said owners were willing to explore adjacent parking options and coordination with South Gate.
After discussion, the commission voted to continue the public hearing to September 2, 2026 so staff and the applicant can pursue parking solutions and provide further analysis.
