Zoning Action Delayed on Radisson Hotel

Fed up with what they say are noise and parking problems from banquets and conventions at the Radisson Bel-Air Hotel, Brentwood homeowners last week thought they had finally received some relief when the Los Angeles zoning board placed restrictions on the hotel.

But the joy was short-lived. Just hours after the board took action, it rescinded the limitations after the hotel’s lawyer arrived late for the hearing and asked the board to reconsider its decision until another hearing could be scheduled.

The board complied. The neighbors are angry.

Some residents were suspicious of the postponement because the hotel’s counsel, Benjamin M. Reznick, has close ties to Mayor Richard Riordan, who appointed the five members of the Board of Zoning Appeals. Reznick campaigned for Riordan last year.

“It was one of the most bizarre experiences I’ve ever had,” said Lawrence Cardoza, vice president of the Brentwood Homeowner’s Assn. “I doubt the same privilege would have been given to city officials if they had been late.”

But Peter Weil, chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals, said he believed Reznick deserved some consideration.

“It’s better than just entering a default--it’s not like he’s done this 30 times before. He made a mistake,” Weil said.

Friction between the hotel’s owner, Efrem Harkham, and his neighbors began after the businessman bought the 161-room Radisson in 1983 and expanded it in 1986 to accommodate business meetings, conventions and banquets.

Residents complained that streets were jammed with vehicles during large functions at the hotel.

Harkham’s recent proposals have been rejected by city zoning officials. But the hotelier has asked the Board of Zoning Appeals to overrule officials. The board has scheduled a hearing on the matter for May 24.