Northridge : Dispute Over Video Games Permit Solved

City Councilman Hal Bernson, a community representative and the Northridge Cinemas have resolved a dispute concerning the theater’s application for a city permit to install at least 15 video games in its lobby, a Bernson aide said Thursday.

After meeting with Bernson’s aides and the community representative, the theater, on Parthenia Street near Tampa Avenue, has agreed to have fewer video games, to shoo away loiterers and to limit the games’ hours of operation, according to Bernson spokeswoman Francine Oschin.

In return, Bernson has agreed to support the theater’s application for a conditional use permit to install the games.

The city Board of Zoning Appeals will consider Northridge Cinemas’ permit application at a public hearing Tuesday. The hearing will be held at 9:30 a.m. at 201 N. Figueroa St., Room 170 in Downtown Los Angeles.

Oschin said she does not know how many video games the theater will propose, but that the councilman will be satisfied if the number is less than 15. Under the agreement between the theater and Bernson’s office, people will not be allowed to play video games beyond the end of the last movie showing.

Bernson, expressing concerns that having a large number of video games could attract youthful loiterers and drive away families, appealed a city zoning official’s approval of the city permit to the Board of Zoning Appeals.