GARDEN GROVE : Moratorium Placed on New Dance Halls

Concerned about an increasing amount of violence and noise at local dance halls, the City Council has put a temporary freeze on the opening of any new dance halls.

During the 45-day moratorium, city officials will be considering ways to improve regulation of establishments classified as dance halls, including dance clubs where members dance with hostesses, “go-go” dance bars and dance clubs for juveniles.

This week’s moratorium follows a Jan. 9 workshop in which police and planning officials told the City Council about problems at the dance halls, including parking, traffic, noise, litter, and violence involving gang clashes and gunshots.

In some cases, according to city staff, piano bars have become dance halls without proper permits. Under the moratorium, anyone who opened a new dance hall during the 45-day period would be subject to a $35-a-day fine.