Planners Consider Revoking Permit of Mayfair Theatre : Ventura: Teen-agers and residents square off at a commission meeting. Some way it’s the only place for youths to gather.

Reacting to complaints about crowds of rowdy patrons, the Ventura Planning Commission on Tuesday considered revoking the Mayfair Theatre’s permit to operate.

The panel had not made a decision by late Tuesday night, after nearly two dozen teen-agers and neighbors signed up to speak on the proposed closure.

Residents and police say the theater’s punk concerts and rave dances draw hundreds of teen-agers on weekends and have disrupted the neighborhood, which is a mix of businesses and residences.

The theater--situated at 793 E. Santa Clara St.--was approved for a permit about five months ago, when it was operating primarily as a quiet coffeehouse that showed foreign films, city Planner Mitch Oshinsky said before the Planning Commission meeting Tuesday.

But according to a Jan. 6 letter to the city, Mayfair co-owner and manager Chris Schertzer said the abrupt departure of two of his partners caused financial problems that forced the theater to offer activities that attract large numbers of customers.

“It’s not what the Planning Commission had in mind when they approved the permit,” Oshinsky said.

Neighbors’ concerns increased after a gang-related drive-by shooting occurred outside the theater in January, police said. No one was hurt.

In a recent interview, Schertzer asserted that his theater is one of few establishments in Ventura where teen-agers can enjoy themselves without drugs or alcohol, because the Mayfair doesn’t serve liquor.

According to Schertzer, the theater is a “kind of scapegoat” for other community problems, such as gangs, drugs and alcohol abuse.

“We come under fire because we cater to kids,” Mayfair employee Pete Sanger said before the meeting Tuesday. “If they don’t have someplace to go, they’re going to turn to the streets.” Ventura Police Sgt. Carl Handy, however, said Mayfair employees make no effort to check if customers entering the theater are drinking or using drugs.

About 50 people appeared at the Planning Commission meeting to discuss the issue. Upset teen-agers said there is no place in Ventura for them to hang out, while irate residents said patrons were littering and vandalizing their properties.

“I go there because people are friendly,” said Jennifer Owens, a student at Hueneme High School. “Closing it down would be a big mistake.”

Ina Frank, a 55-year-old Ventura resident, urged the commission to keep the Mayfair open because there are few places for teen-agers to gather. “I would urge that the Mayfair Theatre be given a chance,” she said, describing it as a young and struggling business.

Some business people came to complain about the negative effect of the Mayfair in their neighborhood. John Price, who is a member of the Elks Lodge, said patrons at its Friday night bingo games were being harassed by juveniles.

Brad Jones, who owns some offices across the street from the Mayfair, said he has had trouble leasing out space there since the theater began operating. “It is having a chilling effect on business,” Jones said. “We didn’t have graffiti before the Mayfair started.”

The issue was supposed to be heard last month, but was postponed when Commissioner Tim Downey collapsed in front of about 150 people. Downey, who is still recovering from heart problems, was absent Tuesday.