Van Nuys : Market’s Request for Liquor Permit Denied

The Los Angeles City Council this week rejected a business owner’s request to sell liquor from his Van Nuys market.

On Wednesday, the City Council cited the proximity of several schools to the market as well as public nuisances in the area as reasons for denying a conditional use permit to Abdul Hamid Rasool, who owns EZ Market on Balboa Boulevard, north of Vanowen Street.

Rasool’s application was initially approved by a city zoning administrator and later by the Board of Zoning Appeals. However, homeowner activist Don Schultz appealed the board’s decision to the City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee, which subsequently recommended denial of the permit.

“I’m hopeful that it’s not the beer and wine that establishes the economic viability of this business,” said Councilwoman Laura Chick, who represents the area that includes the market. Chick suggested that Rasool offer an expanded product line, including such items as disposable diapers, that could make his store more profitable and also serve the community.

But Rasool said he did not think he could operate a successful business without selling beer and wine. He expressed disappointment with the City Council’s decision, saying, “It’s just political.”

Ken Bernstein, Chick’s planning deputy, said that Chick was concerned about the proximity of at least four schools to the store--including Birmingham High School and Mulholland Middle School. Also, the Los Angeles Police Department opposed the liquor permit, citing problems with public drunkenness at the McDonald’s restaurant next door.

Rasool said he had offered to comply with a number of voluntary restrictions to show that he would be a responsible liquor seller, including keeping video games out of the market, scaling back his hours and pledging not to sell single liquor containers.