SHERMAN OAKS : Insomnia Cafe Will Appeal Restrictions

The co-owner of a controversial Sherman Oaks coffeehouse said Monday he would appeal to the Los Angeles City Council a set of restrictions placed on his business last month by city zoning officials.

After being deemed a public nuisance by a zoning administrator in March, the Insomnia Cafe was ordered by the Board of Zoning Appeals to cut back its late-night hours, provide uniformed security guards after 5 p.m. and provide additional parking for its patrons.

Under the order, the cafe, at 13718 Ventura Blvd., would close at 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and at 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The cafe is now open until 4 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays and until 3 a.m. on other days.

But cafe co-owner John Dunn said he plans to appeal the decision to the Los Angeles City Council. “It just doesn’t make any sense at all. It’s total discrimination,” Dunn said. “If this thing goes through, McDonald’s will be open later than us.”