VAN NUYS : 4 Motels Appeal Orders for Security

Four out of five Van Nuys motels targeted by the city in an anti-crime crackdown have appealed orders that they hire extra security and take other steps to rid their businesses of prostitution and other illegal activities.

Two weeks ago, city zoning administrators imposed at least 27 conditions on the five motels, following an investigation and public hearing in which police and residents complained about crime in and around the businesses.

The motels targeted include: The Cinema Motel, 6242 Sepulveda Blvd.; the Chateau Motel, 6719 Sepulveda Blvd.; The Bali Hi Motel, 7041 Sepulveda Blvd.; the Town House Motel, 6957 Sepulveda Blvd., and the El Cortez Motel, 5746 Sepulveda Blvd.

Thursday was the last day motel owners could file an appeal to the zoning administrators’ ruling. Only the Chateau did not do so.

Associate Zoning Administrator Dan Green said a hearing for the four motels will be held before the Board of Zoning Appeals within about six weeks.

The appeal could go all the way to the Los Angeles City Council, where it could be granted, struck down, or even denied with stronger conditions against the motels, officials said.

In his report, Green, who investigated the motels at the behest of City Councilman Marvin Braude, called the businesses public nuisances.

He ordered the motels to hire an eight-hour-a-day security guard with 24-hour on-call security service; work more closely with police, and pay $4,052 to compensate the city for the investigation. Managers for the motels have said they can not afford to comply with Green’s order and will not be required to do so until they have exhausted their appeals. The Chateau, however, must comply effective today, Green said.