GARDENA : New Law Phases Out Swap Meets by 1998
The City Council unanimously adopted a new ordinance banning swap meets in the city.
The Vermont Drive-In and Swap Meet, which has operated since the mid-1960s, will be phased out during the next three years under the law.
City Manager Kenneth W. Landau said about 300 residents had complained to the city that the weekend swap meet creates excessive foot and auto traffic in their neighborhoods, as well as trash.
Nationwide Theatre Corp. and Pacific Theatres, which own the property, agreed to a settlement with the city earlier this month. The city had proposed moving vendors out within 18 months, but the owners wanted eight years.
About 650 vendors will be allowed to continue to sell their wares until Jan. 1, 1998.
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