Banquet halls fall into step

GLENDALE — Outdoor grilling may soon become a non-issue as far as code enforcement is concerned after one of Glendale’s largest banquet halls became compliant this week, leaving just one other hall with outstanding violations, officials said.

A recommendation to revoke MGM Banquet Hall’s zoning use certificate was rescinded after city officials confirmed that the necessary equipment to accommodate an open-flame grill in the kitchen had been installed, Neighborhood Services Director Sam Engel said.

The banquet hall, located at 119 S. Kenwood St. with a 350-person capacity, had been cited for grilling outside in a rear alleyway — partially on the city-owned right-of-way — in violation of municipal codes requiring all commercial business to be conducted entirely within a completely enclosed building that is attached to a permanent foundation, according to city staff reports.

The banquet hall would have faced closure if the city’s zoning administrator, who was scheduled to consider the revocation Wednesday, had revoked its permit.

MGM operators had filed a notice of intent in July to move the operations inside.

Hovsep Karaoglanian, who is the banquet hall’s secretary and treasurer, confirmed that the equipment had been installed but did not elaborate on its scope or cost.

Community activist Margaret Hammond — who has long campaigned about illegal banquet halls and outdoor grilling, and who is listed in a $2-million slander lawsuit filed by a Montrose restaurant/banquet hall — welcomed news of MGM’s mitigation.

“The ordinance is on the books — obey the law,” she said. “That’s what they’ve done, so good for them.”

MGM banquet hall is the latest to comply with general commercial zoning codes since the Neighborhood Services Department stepped up enforcement in step with the City Attorney’s Office.

Code enforcement officials have yet to confirm the Marquis Restaurant/Chattanooga Banquet Hall’s claim that outdoor grilling has been moved indoors.

That banquet hall, located at 811 E. Colorado St., was cited several times in June and July, Engel said.

If confirmed, it would leave Karoun Restaurant as the last banquet hall in the city to operate in violation of the outdoor grilling prohibition, Engel said.

An arrest warrant was issued in April for the owner of the restaurant, Samvel Arutunyan, after he failed to appear in court on four misdemeanor charges related to the outdoor grilling violations, Assistant City Atty. Dorine Martirosian said.

He has not appeared in court since, stalling the city’s case, she said.

Arutunyan lost his bid for a variance to maintain the outdoor grill in July when the city’s zoning administrator, Edith Fuentes, denied the application.

Neighborhood Services will soon decide whether to begin the permit-revocation process against the restaurant, he said. Without an operating permit, the city could close the restaurant.

Verdugo Hills Country Club ceased outdoor grilling after city officials threatened action, Engel said, although the restaurant continues to be monitored.

Outdoor grilling continues to be an “issue du jour” because it is attached to the banquet hall debate, but it actually falls under the general prohibition of conducting private business on public land or outside “real” buildings, Engel said.

The Home Depot and Whole Foods Market have been cited for their outdoor displays, while other industry-related businesses have been cited for allowing manufacturing operations to spill out of their buildings, he said.

Only car dealerships, garden nurseries, Christmas tree lots and pumpkin patches are exempt.

The City Council last year failed to approve an exception for outdoor grilling amid a tense citywide debate on the issue, with some opponents of the ban calling it anti-Armenian because most of the outdoor grilling violators were Armenian restaurants and banquet halls.

Since that vote, council members have indicated an unwillingness to revive the issue, and Neighborhood Services has cut the number of banquet halls with outdoor grills from about 12 to one, if Marquis’ claims are confirmed.

Two restaurants — Cafe Armitage and The Arrow Market — have outstanding violations, Engel said.