NORTH HOLLYWOOD : Food Bag Market Wins Reprieve

A popular Latin supermarket in North Hollywood may remain open provided its owners move to resolve parking problems, a city planning official ruled Friday.

Many of the 60 who attended a hearing were concerned that the Food Bag market would close. Limited parking space has prompted neighbors of nearby Bakman Avenue to complain about customers speeding down the streets and blocking driveways to find parking spaces.

The hearing at the Van Nuys Women’s Club before William Lillenberg, associate zoning administrator, was on a move to revoke the license of the Food Bag market at 6340 Tujunga Ave.

Lillenberg was swayed by owner Roberto Rodriguez’s plan to alleviate the problem.

“I’m putting conditions to implement the proposals he suggested and any other conditions to correct the nuisance and problems in the area,” said Lillenberg.

Rodriguez’s solution involves several steps. He plans to ask again for permission to demolish two adjacent homes he owns and move the alley behind the store further south, which would allow him to expand parking from 46 to 86 spaces. Entry to the market would be limited to Tujunga Avenue and Victory Boulevard, closing off current access to Bakman or an alleyway.

In addition, Lillenberg said he will require Rodriguez to retrieve shopping carts and pick up litter in the neighborhood, limit delivery hours, remove graffiti and discourage illegal vendors. The conditions will be issued within two weeks, he added.

The hearing’s positive result brought relief to many, including Rodriguez and Tom Henry, chief planning deputy for City Councilman Joel Wachs, who had recommended the hearing because of neighbors’ complaints.

“I’m very optimistic,” Rodriguez said. “To be honest, I didn’t know I had so many supporters and so many people who like what I’m doing at the market.

“We wanted to remove the problem as quickly as possible, and there was never any intent of closing this place down,” Henry said. “As it turns out, everybody’s happy.”