Motel Is Ordered to Clean Up Its Act

A city zoning official Thursday ordered a North Hills motel operator to reduce prostitution, drug use and police calls or risk closure.

The daughter of the owner of the Redwood Inn, the target of the unusual order located at 9111 Sepulveda Blvd., declined comment.

“By now, the other motels should certainly be getting the message,” said John J. Parker Jr., the associate zoning administrator who imposed 27 conditions on the motel.

“The message is they have to clean up their operation. They have to be very rigorous about avoiding an appearance of supporting any activities including prostitution or drug activity,” Parker said.

Yung Tsai, the owner, was given 180 days to comply.

The Redwood must provide a 24-hour security guard, not rent rooms for less than a night’s stay, prohibit drug and alcohol use, and join a local motel watch association. Customers must also present a driver’s license or other photo identification.

The action was prompted in part by a police study of the motel, which found an increase in crime calls. Police were called to the Redwood Inn 39 times in 1991 compared to 46 times in the first half of 1992. The complaints included prostitution, drug use, robbery and car theft. Not since last year, when the old Allstar Inn on Roscoe Boulevard was the subject of a similar zoning order, has a motel been targeted for cleanup, Parker said.

City Councilman Joel Wachs sought the zoning hearing after receiving complaints from neighbors.

“I think the zoning administrator has done a very extensive job, and we will be looking at the operation of this place closely over the next few months,” said Tom Henry, Wachs’ planning deputy. “Hopefully, they’ll be able to be good neighbors. But if not, we’ll have to shut them down.”