Permit for Pacoima Bar Denied; Too Near Clinic

A permit to allow the sale of liquor at a proposed Pacoima pool hall that would operate steps away from a county mental health clinic was denied Monday by a city zoning administrator, who called the applicant’s request “almost inconceivable.”

“I can’t believe anybody, for whatever reason, would want to open up a pool hall and bar next to mental health clinic,” said Zoning Administrator James J. Crisp. He said he saw no reason to even consider other problems, such as street gang violence and drug trafficking in the area.

The applicant, Henry Romero, a San Fernando real-estate broker, applied for permits last November to open a business with six pool tables, a bar, a small dance floor and live entertainment in a small shopping plaza at 11479 San Fernando Road on the Pacoima-San Fernando border.

Residents’ Reactions

Pacoima and San Fernando residents have lashed out against the proposal, particularly the sale of liquor. They say their communities are saturated with liquor stores and bars, which often turn into havens for drug dealers and prostitutes.

Counselors at the San Fernando Mental Health Clinic say many of the clients have histories of alcohol abuse, and they believe the bar, which would be closer than 15 feet to the clinic, would be detrimental to treatment.

The denial of a conditional-use permit to operate a bar came after an hourlong public hearing in which 12 people, including the commanding officer of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Foothill Division, urged Crisp to reject the permit.

A city ordinance approved in 1978 requires that a conditional-use permit be obtained from the city Planning Department before the opening of business selling or serving liquor. The Planning Department investigates the effect of the liquor establishment on the surrounding area.

In denying the permit, Crisp said that the sale of liquor would “act as a retardant” to the operations of the clinic, the only county Health Services Department facility in the San Fernando Valley that offers bilingual counseling tailored to Latinos.

Need for Support Noted

Romero said he did not know if he would try to reverse Monday’s ruling by taking his case to the city Board of Zoning Appeals.

Crisp told Romero that, if he appeals the case, he would have to prove that the community and mental health officials support the business.

“But I don’t think you stand a chance,” Crisp told Romero.

The city denial of the permit is perhaps the most important step in stopping the sale of liquor at the site, said Robert R. Bristol, district administrator for the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Department, the agency that issues liquor licenses.

“If the city denies a permit to sell liquor from the site because of zoning ordinances, we have no choice but to deny the liquor license,” Bristol said.

Because of the possibility of an appeal, the ABC cannot act on the license until the city makes a final determination on the case.

Romero’s application for a permit to operate only the pool tables is pending with the Los Angeles Police Commission, which issues entertainment licenses. A decision is expected within two weeks. Romero declined to discuss whether he would run a pool hall without also selling liquor.

Residents, several of whom had never participated in an organized protest, said the ruling is proof that they can control their community. Residents, prompted by officials at the clinic and activists in local social service organizations and churches, wrote protest letters, circulated petitions and attended two public hearings on the case.

“We have to know how to prevent the source of problems in our communities,” said Frank Yudico, a lifelong San Fernando resident. “I think we are learning how to do this; how to say enough is enough.”