EAST LOS ANGELES : Club Owner Told to Boost Security

Salvador Quezada has had problems with the police and city officials before. The owner of Don Quixote’s East, a former theater turned restaurant and nightclub, has had three of his establishments closed by the city in the last eight years.

Facing possibly another closure, the 58-year-old Quezada wants to pack up and move out of town. He has owned Don Quixote’s East, 2811 E. Olympic Blvd., for six years.

“I like the business,” he said. “People like to go dancing, where the boy meets the girl and the girl meets the boy . . . All the places I have I pack them in wall to wall.

“(But) with all the problems I have, I want to build this one again and sell it and go to Las Vegas and buy over there.”

He may not have a choice but to sell his place, if neighbors have their way.

More than 40 of them attended a zoning hearing last month to complain about shootings and other crimes, a lack of parking, lax security and excessive noise at the club.

Quezada disagreed and asked the city for a conditional-use permit to allow him to open the business for public dancing instead of the private parties to which he is restricted now.

Associate Zoning Administrator William E. Lillenberg denied Quezada’s request and gave him six months to improve his standing with his neighbors. He ordered Quezada to find 300 parking spaces, close by 11 p.m., hire security officers, comply with fire safety and occupancy standards, hire a parking valet and not allow underage drinking. After a trial period that ends June 2, the city will decide whether to allow Quezada to continue his business. A date for the review has not been set.

Quezada has not appealed the decision, but disagreed with neighbors who say Don Quixote’s has caused problems.