Note: This article borders on being opinion/editorial.

The story of 320 Sunset reads like a study in bad City politics. If one has trouble keeping up with the latest, join the Venice Update followers and members of the Concerned Neighbors group. The hearing dates and postponements read like someone searching for the right under-the-cover pocket, the right star alignment. (Go to Venice Update archives.)

The problem with “a right pocket” is that there are young, knowledgeable, eagle-eyed citizens watching, and the Departments of Planning and Building and Safety are supposed to operate with rules and transparency.

What started out as a bakery/retail (and still the only thing permitted) turned into a full scale restaurant with alcohol and an outdoor patio buffered with a 13.5-foot alley from residents. The latter configuration is what is operating, without permit, in the City much to the knowledge of the Concerned Neighbors group and “chagrin” of the Departments of Planning and Building and Safety. Not mentioned is the parking lot that is not tied to the building lease.

The latest activity has been covered in the article at http://savevenice.me/gjusta-venice-no-friend-to-residents/.