Council grants motel owner appeal after city attorney advises revocation not supported by records

The Los Angeles City Council granted an appeal by a motel owner after the city attorney advised the council that police records did not support revocation of the property’s permits. The action stemmed from a nuisance-abatement proceeding that planners and the police had previously brought to the Planning and Land Use Management Committee.

At the meeting, council members were told the Planning and Land Use Management Committee had recommended revocation based on police testimony. However, the city attorney reported that a subsequent review of police records contradicted the testimony on which the committee relied. "The city attorney has advised us that we can't go ahead with the revocation," the council president said at the dais, summarizing legal counsel's view.

Attorney Harriet Bilford, who said she represents herself and is familiar with nuisance cases, praised the decision to grant the appeal and asked the council and city attorney to remain vigilant in examining police evidence in future cases. John DeCourcy, representing the appellant, thanked the council and city attorney for what he called a "just decision." Council members said the ruling did not remove the owner’s obligation to meet zoning-administrator conditions; members urged continued cooperation with the police and zoning enforcement to ensure property improvements.

The council voted on motion 5a to grant the owner's appeal and preserve the zoning administrator's conditions; the clerk announced 13 ayes and the motion was approved. The council then recorded an amended 5a that also passed with 13 ayes.

Council members said the decision requires follow-up monitoring to ensure compliance with the conditions imposed by the Board of Zoning Adjustments and zoning administrator decisions. Several speakers urged that the city attorney and planning staff be more proactive in bringing fully vetted evidence to committee deliberations.