The Historic Aztec Hotel in Monrovia Given a Chance to Live Down Its Colorful History

By Susan Motander

The new owner of the Aztec Hotel has a lot to live down with the infamous Monrovia Hotel’s history. -Photo by Terry Miller

The Aztec Hotel, one of only three building in Monrovia listed on the National Register of Historic Places needs to live down its more recent history. The city’s Planning Commission gave the new owner, Qinhan Chen, the opportunity to do just that by compromising on the owners request to serve alcohol and have live entertainment.
In reviewing the new owner’s request for separate Conditional Use Permits (CUP) allowing those activities, the commission discussed the reputation of the place. The staff report by Senior Planner Barbara Lynch recommended in favor of allowing liquor service but denying live entertainment. Despite staff recommendation to the contrary the Planning Commission ultimately came up with a compromise.
According to the staff report and comments at the meeting by Director of Community Development Steve Sizemore and Panning Manager Craig Jimenez, there were problems created by and at the bar, which had been at the location for many years. The problems sited were the noise from rock bands that had played on the weekends, and the trash left in the neighborhood by patrons of the establishment. They also commented that there had been many calls to the police department regarding the bar and its patrons.
Representative of the new owner asked that they not be punished for the behavior of the prior owners. One of those representatives, John Leung, asked that the Commissioners to allow them to start a new restaurant on “an even playing field” with other businesses. He asked for the opportunity to operate with live entertainment, saying: “Let us prove to you we can make it work.”
He pointed out that after meeting with concerned neighbors they had already agreed not to allow patrons to use the patio area, and to keep the door to the patio closed during operating hours so that noise would not spill out toward the neighbors to the north. He also said that they would have a security guard making regular tours of the parking area to ensure patrons were not throwing trash into the neighborhood.
He reiterated the point that the staff report had noted that only acoustical music was proposed, specifically, guitars, flutes and keyboards to play mariachi style music and Latin jazz. “We are committed to low key music,” he said.
He also pointed out that because of the hotel’s historic designation and the grant received by the prior owner, the new owner had to get approvals for all changes, not just from the city, but also from the State’s Office of Historic Preservation. As a result of this, Leung said, “We have not earned one dime.”
He said the aim was to put in an upscale restaurant with South American or Mexican food. He said that to make it viable, they needed to be able to serve alcohol and to have live entertainment at least on weekends and at Sunday Brunch.
Three members of the public spoke to the issue. All spoke in favor of the plans of the new owner. Larry Williams who said he lives directly north of the Aztec commented that “before there was no management.” He said that with active on-site managers, he believed there would not be the problems he had experienced in the past. He went on to praise the new owner and the members of his management team, saying that they had promised to be responsive to their neighbors.
Also speaking in favor of approving the CUPs was Jesse Rodriguez who identified himself as an insurance businessman in the area. He explained that he had met with representatives of the new owner and that he believed the proposed new restaurant was one he would patronize. In regard to the past problems at the location, he said “Everybody deserves a second chance.” He also pointed out the restaurant “will bring more money to Monrovia.”
The discussion by the members of the Planning Commission made it clear that they realized that the sale of alcohol was necessary for the success of the business, and they all seemed to favor that CUP. There questions regarding the live music CUP. Commissioner Ann McIntosh asked staff if Karaoke was considered “live music.” According to staff it is not nor are jukeboxes.
Commission Carlos Parrague noted that the Aztec Hotel historically had had entertainment. In regard to that he said that the people who moved into the area knew that the hotel existed and that it had entertainment. He also said that the hotel was located on a “public thoroughfare” (Foothill Boulevard) and that the heavily traveled street also created noise.
In the discussion with other Commissioners, Parrague also brought up all the restrictions on the property because of its historic status. He said, “With all the historic restrictions, they need a break.”
In general discussion, Commissioners McIntosh and Glen Owens voiced concerns about the less savory history of the place, i.e. its reputation as a “biker bar” and a venue for “wannabe” rock bands. Both questioned whether a trial period of some entertainment was possible. Both mentioned a similar situation with another restaurant in town that had requested live music.
Sizemore and Assistant City Attorney Gena Stinnet both cautioned that it might be difficult to rescind a CUP once it was issued. However, the Commission ultimately decided on a compromise. They approved the CUP for the sale of alcohol, but directed the city staff to prepare a CUP that would severely limit the live entertainment that would be allowed.
The CUP they proposed would allow the owners of the Aztec to have entertainment in the restaurant every Sunday at their proposed Sunday Brunch. In addition, live entertainment would also be allowed once a month on Friday and Saturday during the hours the business is proposed to be open. This CUP would be for only six months during which time the Aztec was to notify the city, and specifically the Design Review Committee, of the weekends when there was to be live entertainment.
The issue of the live entertainment CUP was continued to the December 10 Planning Commission Meeting to allow the staff to prepare the CUP in accordance with the suggestions of the commission.
Following the meeting Leung said that he and Chen were pleased with the opportunity to prove that they could be good managers and good neighbors.

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