BUENA PARK : City Starts Process to Evict VFW Post

The Planning Commission began proceedings Wednesday to evict Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8954 from its hall on Homewood Avenue for failing to solve a chronic parking problem.

However, a public hearing will be held Feb. 27 before an eviction notice is served.

Speaking on behalf of the 450-member post, member Stanley Delmore told the commission that the VFW has been trying to sell the hall and it is currently in escrow. However, he said three previous purchase offers had fallen through because of the city’s parking requirements.

The post is at the end of Homewood Avenue in a residential neighborhood and the only available parking is on the street. The VFW had considered buying a vacant lot across from the hall to use as a parking lot, but never made the purchase.

Delmore asked the commission why the city chose now to crack down on parking enforcement.

“The parking situation has been the same since the post opened in 1962,” Delmore said.

It is the second time the post has faced eviction. Last April, the commission refused to throw the veterans out despite their failure to comply with their city permit that requires them to provide adequate parking for the hall. At that time, the commission gave the post an ultimatum: provide the required parking lot in six months or get out.

The long-running battle between the veterans and the city began last year after several residents complained about noise and other disturbances at the post. Most of the problems occurred when the hall was rented to outside parties, residents said.

Acting on the complaints, the City Council placed several restrictions on the post, including limiting the number of hours the hall could be operated, forbidding rental to outside groups and requiring that adequate parking be provided.

The veterans have been trying to sell the post since the city imposed these restrictions. Members contend that without rental income they will be forced to move. Rentals to outside groups generated as much as $9,000 annually for the group.