Public Nuisance Law May Be Invoked to Shut Van Nuys Club

A city councilman and a police captain said Thursday they will try to shut a Van Nuys nightclub with a never-used ordinance if the club does not curb vandalism, litter and loud noise.

Councilman Joel Wachs said he also plans to seek council approval today for an Alcohol Nuisance Abatement Task Force of city officials to crack down on similar problems throughout Los Angeles.

Residents near the New El Gato/Valley Club at 7324 Sepulveda Blvd. recently petitioned Wachs, asking that “action be taken to restore a once peaceful and healthy environment to our neighborhood.”

Wachs and LAPD Capt. Rick Dinse revealed a plan of attack that calls for implementing the Public Nuisance Elimination Ordinance--passed by the City Council in November, 1985, but never invoked--that allows the city’s zoning administrator to modify or revoke city permits for places that sell alcohol.

Wachs said the zoning administrator will hold a hearing within 60 days to determine whether the club’s permit will be revoked, according to Wachs aide David Mays. Under the ordinance, evidence must be presented that all other enforcement tools have been tried.

“We’ve exhausted all the governmental responses and the club owners have had plenty of time to clean up their act, but they just haven’t been willing to cooperate,” Wachs said at a press conference. “Now we have a new weapon at hand.

“Frankly, I don’t think it’s fair to you to have to endure this and I think it’s time to shut them down,” Wachs said, to hearty applause from about 40 homeowners gathered across the street from the club.

Watching from just outside the nightclub’s doors, employees declined to comment about the proposed plan. Efforts to reach the club owners and attorney were unsuccessful.

The club caters to teen-agers and young adults, and police have made 21 arrests for underage drinking and other offenses in April and May, Sgt. Jeff Sheldon said.

Responding to citations from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, the club agreed last week to a 10-day suspension of its liquor license, and vice officers said a check this week found no liquor being sold there. “All they were selling was fruit juice,” Sheldon said.

“We would expect the problems to diminish if they continue not to serve alcohol,” Dinse told the neighbors.

Wachs said he hopes to use the ordinance to combat similar problems in Studio City, Canoga Park and Pacoima as well as in Hollywood and South-Central Los Angeles. “This could set a precedent in trying to deal with this problem throughout the city,” he said.