STUDIO CITY : Businesses Oppose Permit Parking Area

The Studio City Chamber of Commerce and Art’s Deli are campaigning against a permit parking district behind the popular eatery that is scheduled to become effective in three weeks.

Saying that permit parking will hurt businesses along Ventura Boulevard, they are attempting to enlist the support of the two candidates who are vying for Zev Yaroslavsky’s former seat on the Los Angeles City Council.

Mike Feuer and Barbara Yaroslavsky, the contenders on the June 6 ballot, could not be reached for comment.

The City Council on March 15 approved the seven-block district, located southwest of the intersection of Ventura and Laurel Canyon boulevards. But Ventura Boulevard businesses maintain that the council should not have made such a crucial decision until after their new council member is sworn in.

The chamber wants the council to delay the establishment of the district until sometime after July 1, when the new 5th District council member will take office. If permit parking goes into effect, the businesses say, their employees will have no place to park.

Sondra Frohlich, the chamber’s executive director, said she has contacted Councilman Joel Wachs’ office to get his help. She said she believes that Art’s Deli founder Art Ginsburg has spoken with Wachs.

Tom Henry, Wachs’ planning deputy, said the councilman would be willing to bring the matter up for reconsideration by the council, but only if both candidates contact him to ask for a delay.

“If we hear from both of them, then we’ll put a motion to continue the matter before the council,” Henry said.

Yaroslavsky and Feuer would have to speak with Wachs soon, because the permit parking signs are slated to go up around May 17.

Residents of the neighborhood targeted for permit parking have been attempting to get parking restrictions for 2 1/2 years. The district is needed to make their streets safer, they say, because parked cars impede the visibility of homeowners backing out of their driveways.

On Monday, resident Darlene Urwin said she and her neighbors are upset that the district could be in jeopardy.

“We’re basically in shock,” Urwin said.