Commission Votes Not to Revoke Dealership's Permit

By Oliver Lukacs

Jan. 24 -- The Planning Commission unanimously voted last week not to revoke a Conditional Use Permit that would have marked the first time in the city's history such a punitive measure was taken.

The revocation of the CUP, which is granted when a business proposes a use with unpredictable neighborhood impacts, was initially postponed in October after the auto dealership at 3223 Santa Monica Boulevard complied with the 1995 permit conditions and agreed to pay for monthly $100 inspections.

Had the dealership failed to pass the two-month-long random systematic inspection program required by the commission, its permit would have been revoked.

The commission cast its vote Wednesday after hearing from City staff inspectors who testified to the dealership's clean bill of health, saying the revocation was a "very serious last resort measure" to get compliance, and was, at this point, unwarranted.

Commissioner Kelly Olson -- who initially brought the issue to the table last year -- begrudgingly gave the permit his blessing.

"On the bad side of this, this shouldn't have had to come to us," he said, pointing out that neither staff nor the City Attorney's office acted on the gross violations found almost two years ago that were "potentially life threatening," such as "missing fire doors and walls."

"On the good side," Olsen said, "once it came to light, I was extremely delighted to see that the City Attorney's office actually has people that seem to be exemplary at their job, and seemed to be waiting for someone to give them the opportunity to do their job."

The violations of some of the 70 conditions of approval also included the conversion of significant portions of the subterranean parking garage to auto parts storage, a new car display, and vehicle storage and vehicle service uses without required City approval or permits.

In addition, a bicycle rack and an electric vehicle recharge station were not provided as conditioned.