In the face of city authority, one Westwood merchant is taking
his plight to the people.
Kelly Aladdin, owner of Elysee Bakery and Cafe, started a
petition last month protesting the revocation of outdoor seating
permits for several Westwood restaurants and cafes, including his
own.
The petition was sent to the Los Angeles City Council Thursday.
According to Aladdin, the council said it would discuss the
situation with city engineers.
The petition does not propose a specific course of action, but
states the desire of the petitioners to continue having outdoor
seating.
“The petition represents the voice of the people,”
Aladdin said.
He said the petition was signed by 850 to 1,000 customers,
residents, professors and students.
According to Mike Walters of the L.A. Bureau of Engineering,
Westwood businesses had operated under revocable permits issued for
the purpose of outdoor dining.
In response to complaints made earlier in the year by an
anonymous Westwood citizen, the Bureau of Engineering revoked the
permits.
The complaints pointed out the permits were in violation of the
10 foot minimum clearance that the Westwood Village Specific Plan
requires between outdoor seating and the street.
The permits were issued in error, Walters said.
The Bureau of Engineering began notifying merchants that their
permits were revoked on Jan. 31.
Sergeant Carmine Sasso of the LAPD said there had been problems
with outdoor seating extending too far into the sidewalk for
several months.
On some occasions, pedestrian traffic had “(spilled) over
into the public roadway,” Sasso said.
He said the sidewalk traffic situation had improved after the
permits were revoked.
While some businesses have more than 10 feet of clearance and
have not been affected, 13 Westwood restaurants and cafes have had
to reduce their outdoor seating or eliminate it altogether.
Aladdin pointed to the lack of a Business Improvement District
to represent Westwood merchants in this matter.
“We don’t have an association to talk on our
behalf,” Aladdin said.
The former BID was ended last fall by Councilman Weiss who
represents Los Angeles’ Fifth District that includes
Westwood.
Lisa Hansen, Weiss’ Communications Director, said the
Councilman did not have jurisdiction over the matter.
“It’s not up to us,” she said.
Mr. Noodle is one restaurant that had to remove all of its
outdoor seating.
Jay Srivichienchai, a Mr. Noodle employee, said they did not
have sufficient tables for customers during busy periods.
Elysee Bakery and Cafe has also had to take in all of its
tables.
Aladdin said outdoor seating at restaurants and cafes attracts
customers to Westwood and increases the visibility of other
businesses.
Some restaurants affected by the law have not noted a change in
business.
Gary Becker, manager of BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse,
said business has “not at all” changed after outdoor
seating was removed.
Students and customers, on the other hand, had a negative
reaction to the removal of sidewalk seating.
“What (the city) did to (the restaurant) was
unfair,” said Vahagn Kzelgezyan, a long-time patron of Habibi
Cafe which also had to remove its tables.
Kzelgezyan also said there is plenty of space on the sidewalk
for tables and pedestrians to share.
Alana Gallardo, a second-year psychology student and BJ’s
customer, also disagreed with the regulation.
“Every place is always packed, so any extra seating would
be convenient,” she said.
Councilman Weiss’ office can be reached at (213)
485-5013.