RESEDA : Concert Hall Gets OK to Serve Alcohol

Despite loud cries of opposition from neighbors, a city zoning official has granted the Country Club concert hall in Reseda permission to serve alcohol--providing it meets a long list of strict conditions.

To avoid a repeat of past problems at the club, Albert Landini, an associate city zoning administrator, said that he tied 60 conditions to the approval, many of which address safety and security of neighbors as well as patrons.

“It wouldn’t surprise me to see this (decision) appealed,” Landini said, noting that opposition to the conditional use permit had been strong.

Country Club owner Tony Longval--with the support of the Los Angeles Police Department, Councilwoman Laura Chick’s office and the local Chamber of Commerce--sought the permit earlier this summer.

He was running a clean business that featured low-key blues and country performers as well as boxing matches, he said, and promised alcohol would not cause problems.

Longval pointed out at an Aug. 1 hearing before the zoning administrator that the club had been granted temporary permits and served alcohol on numerous occasions, all without incident.

Many business owners and residents near the venue at 18415 Sherman Way agreed, but also said they feared a permanent permit would lead to problems that occurred under previous owners: concert-goers urinating in yards, fighting in the streets and drinking in the parking lot.

Landini ordered that as many as 17 security guards--both armed and unarmed--be on and around the premises during events. He also banned hard rock, heavy metal and punk concerts, and limited everything from operating hours to advertising.

Longval said Tuesday he was happy with the decision, having already agreed to comply with the conditions, most of which were formulated during meetings with the LAPD.

The club, which is not currently operating, must still receive a permit from the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Department, Longval said.