VAN NUYS : Hearings to Weigh Motel Restrictions

The city of Los Angeles will examine at public hearings Jan. 28 whether to impose restrictions on five Sepulveda Boulevard motels where police have reported crimes ranging from prostitution to drug dealing.

Although the hearings could ultimately lead to the closure of uncooperative motels, city zoning officials insist that is not their intent.

“There’s been no prejudgment that’s taken place,” Chief Zoning Administrator Robert Janovici said. “Our object is to cease the nuisance, not put the motels out of business.”

Short of closure, action against the motels could include requiring additional lighting, more security and tougher screening of motel guests. Complaints against the five motels, based on police reports, have to do with prostitution, drug dealing and robbery.

The motels under scrutiny are the El Cortez Motel, 5746 Sepulveda Blvd.; Bali Hi Motel, 7041 N. Sepulveda Blvd.; Town House Motel, 6957 N. Sepulveda Blvd.; Chateau Motel, 6719 N. Sepulveda Blvd., and Cinema Motel, 6242 N. Sepulveda Blvd.

The city has sent hearing notices to all residents and property owners within a 500-foot radius of the motels. The hearings will be held between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Van Nuys Woman’s Club, 14836 Sylvan St.

The initial investigation of 11 motels, held at the request of City Councilman Marvin Braude, brought criticism from city officials, business leaders and police.

City officials and business leaders said Braude’s request for a blanket probe of all Sepulveda Boulevard motels in his district was unfair, while police said most prostitutes use motels as places to live, not as places to turn tricks.

Braude defended the investigation, saying he was responding to residents’ complaints about the motels.