Residents complain Chop Up appears to operate late-night music; council directs inspections before permit action

Residents raised sustained concerns about Chop Up restaurant’s impact on nearby apartment parking and late-night noise during a work-session agenda item on a potential liquor-license expansion to permit live "family" entertainment.

Heather Yazzie, a Ward 1 resident, told the council she had already emailed neighbors and that the public agenda contained limited background materials; she said she found social-media posts showing the restaurant holding music events until 1 a.m. "So they're already operating as if they have this license," Yazzie said, and urged the town to consult police records on calls for service. Councilmember Garces and other members recounted constituent complaints about parking overflow into nearby apartment lots and asked staff to address neighborhood impacts.

Town attorney Eddie Pounds said the applicant's counsel told him the client would not pursue entertainment until the renewal period closes on September 15, and that the owner intends to seek family entertainment (karaoke, music without explicit language) rather than a special-entertainment permit. Mayor Campbell and Town Administrator Galloway indicated staff and the attorney would follow up with the owner and counsel and coordinate an inspection with the liquor board to determine whether the business is operating beyond its current licensure.

Council directed staff to gather information and return with a report at the next work session. The town will also consider placing the license-expansion matter on a future town meeting agenda for broader public discussion and possible vote.