Hollywood : Palladium Rules Tightened

The Board of Zoning Appeals took a first step Tuesday toward closing the Hollywood Palladium, but board Chairwoman Katherine Diamond said she hopes to see the venerable Sunset Boulevard dance hall stay in business.

Once home to big band extravaganzas, the palladium has attracted unruly crowds of young people to some recent concerts.

“The basic concern was the extent of demand for extraordinary police services,” Diamond said Wednesday. At issue is the palladium’s business license, which allows it to operate as a restaurant with alcohol sales allowed to go along with food. Witnesses at the hearing said food is not commonly served at palladium events.

The board hopes to see the food problem corrected, Diamond said. She also said the owners had already taken some steps, such as hiring more security guards, to correct other problems. In a set of conditions imposed after a four-hour hearing, the hours of operation were also cut back.

“All of us felt equally that it would be a terrible loss if the palladium, which has a wonderful historic role in Los Angeles, is lost,” Diamond said.

“The revocation ordinance requires a two-step process. Hopefully, we’ll never be back to talk to them again.”