Buena Park : VFW Gets Reprieve in Eviction Fight

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8954 has been given a reprieve in its battle against eviction from its Homewood Avenue site.

In the latest development, the city Planning Commission refused to start eviction procedures, deciding instead to give members time to discuss relocation options with the city staff.

“Staff is requesting further continuance . . . to permit staff and the applicants to pursue and evaluate alternative sites for the VFW,” a report to planners says.

Rick Warsinski, assistant director of developmental services, said the city is “looking at alternatives” but declined to elaborate.

Asked if the city was considering buying the land, Warsinski said: “I wouldn’t rule out the fact that we might do that. We just haven’t (yet).”

After voting last month to revoke the post’s operating permit, the commission was expected to pass a resolution making the action official. However, after a staff recommendation, the item was continued until April 24.

If adopted, the post would have had 10 days to appeal to the City Council for reconsideration.

During the past few months, members of the post have unsuccessfully tried to sell the property. Unable to find parking within the residential neighborhood as required by the city, members have said that they are being forced to sell.

But the lack of available parking also proved a problem for other groups interested in purchasing the building and several deals have fallen through. Real estate agent Helen Stansell, who represented the post at one time, said that the most recent offer from a church has been canceled.

This latest turn comes after more than two years of struggle between the post and the city. After residents’ complaints of excessive noise and other problems at the hall, the City Council placed several restrictions on the post, including limiting hours of operation and forbidding rental to outside groups. The council also ordered the post to build a parking lot for 40 vehicles.