Local News in Brief : Panel Urges More Seats for Encino Nightclub
A Los Angeles City Council committee Tuesday recommended that an Encino comedy club be allowed to expand its occupancy, despite complaints from neighbors about noise that drifts into their homes.
The L.A. Cabaret Comedy Club had requested permission to increase its occupancy from 188 to 266. But the Planning and Environment Committee recommended an increase to only 220.
The club at 17271 Ventura Blvd. had also requested permission to have dancing but dropped that request Tuesday in the face of community opposition.
During a brief public hearing Tuesday, Burton Roger, a club neighbor, complained about noise and other disturbances from patrons at the club.
“It’s no laughing matter to the community,” Roger said. “We’ve suffered.”
“We have people living as far away as 700 feet complaining about noise,” he added.
“We need a place to laugh,” said Herman Sillas, an attorney representing club owner Ray Bishop. “It’s not a rowdy place at all.”
Committee chairman Hal Bernson moved to give the club a slight increase in its occupancy to give Bishop “an opportunity to show that he can be a good neighbor.” The committee recommendation will come before the full council next Wednesday.
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