Complaints Prompt Officials to Ban Parties at Mansion

The party’s over in Benedict Canyon--at least for a now.

The Department of Building and Safety has ordered the owner of an ornate Benedict Canyon mansion to stop renting his home for commercial uses after neighbors complained that boisterous parties and excessive filming at the site were disrupting the tony enclave.

Owner Mark Slotkin received notice from the department Friday.

If he violates the order, he could face misdemeanor charges, said Michael Gruett, senior investigator for the West Los Angeles area. Investigators said they are looking into whether Slotkin has profited from the use of his home, which could clear the way for charges to be filed against him for past events at the site.

Mike Lee, the department’s principal investigator, said: “We wouldn’t issue an order unless we thought something was going on.”

Slotkin said the parties at his $6.6-million Tower Grove Drive estate are charity functions and that he does not make money off the festivities.

“I’ve been in compliance all the way,” he said. “I don’t have any problems with complying with any ordinances.”

Residents have long complained that the house is regularly used as a party or concert hall, with traffic clogging their narrow canyon roads and bothersome noise lasting well into the night.

The office that coordinates city and county film permits has also put a 60-day hold on filming at the house, which has been featured in “Indecent Proposal” and various commercials, while representatives investigate the neighbors’ public safety concerns.

“We’re fairly confident that filming is done within the guidelines and has a minimal impact on the neighborhood, but when we look at it in terms of all the other situations in the area . . . we need to look at whether issuing film permits will inflame an already tense situation,” said Mike Bobenko, vice president of the Los Angeles Film Office.

Slotkin’s neighbors, who picketed in front of his mansion during an Oct. 3 party for Bulgari, a Beverly Hills jeweler, said they were relieved that action was being taken to curb what they call a public nuisance.

“Now we feel like there might be some light at the end of the tunnel,” said Cecelia Post, a Tower Grove Drive resident. “Until we see him shut down in terms of partying, we’re not going to get too hopeful. But this looks good.”