Council Puts off Revoking Mercado's Permit

The San Juan Capistrano City Council put off a decision Tuesday to revoke the permit for Mercado El Rey, the popular Latino market whose neighbors say has insufficient parking.

A Superior Court judge has agreed, ordering the city to revoke the mercado’s permit. However, the market’s owners and their landlords went before a state appellate panel Tuesday to ask that the city postpone the action until the matter can be fully heard in that higher court.

According to a letter from landlord Dove Capistrano Partners, the court did issue the postponement, or stay. As such, the council took the item off the agenda.

Back in September 2011, the San Juan Capistrano City Council green-lighted the permit for Mercado El Rey in the spot of the former Vincent de Paul Society thrift store.

Nearby landlord Dan Friess told Patch earlier this week that parking has been a nightmare ever since. He’d like a temporary structure built back when the storefront housed a thrift shop be removed to make room for six more parking spots. The temporary structure has since been incorporated into the store.

In a letter sent before the City Council meeting Tuesday, Dove’s lawyers said the court has invited the city to submit by April 23 a letter in support of the city’s original approval. 

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