A group of Venetians who live nearby was formed around the 320 Sunset project and grew in size as other questionable projects appeared. They were asked what their reaction was to this decision. Ilana Marosi, spokesperson for the group, made the following statement.

This is hardly a surprising course of events. It seems Gjusta’s “approval” was in before day 1, when City Planning and Zoning enabled piece-mealing of the project, while Building and Safety allowed a full commercial restaurant to be built where only a bakery was allowed. Bear in mind that the Certificate of Occupancy, issued by Building and Safety in September 2014, was for a TAKE OUT BAKERY ONLY – NO SEATING. This permit was ignored for almost a year whilst the operator smoked fish, grilled pigs heads, and barbecued chickens in his “bakery”, all the while seating patrons illegally on milk crates in an illegally operated parking lot. Neighbors suffered (and still do) from breathing fumes and black smoke, noise disturbances, lack of parking, and traffic congestion to dangerous levels.

Gjusta refused to comply after being cited several times by Building and Safety since December 2014. Apparently a criminal case was in the works. Yet somehow, the City Attorney Mike Feuer (via Neighborhood Prosecutor Claudia Martin) refused to prosecute. The Garcetti administration allowed this unlawful activity to continue for 10 months and now his Zoning Administrator, Maya Zaitzevsky has given it her blessing. All of this despite the hundreds of complaints, alcohol protests and huge community disapproval by immediate neighbors and others who are affected daily. Councilman Bonin has come out in support of the community to oppose the project and alcohol service at Gjusta. We are grateful for the Councilman’s support. Yet the blight marches on with no regard for the laws or for the neighbors — just as Camaj does at his other locations at Gjelina, GTA, the Black Beast (1305 abbot Kinney), and the future restaurant at 259 Hampton where Sauce is currently.

Gjusta had a traffic hearing at the West LA Area Planning Commission on July 15, 2015. The day prior to this at City Hall, Concerned Neighbors discovered different (unseen) plans and expansion paperwork, in the zoning file, which incorporated the chiropractic office upstairs/next door and the use of its grandfathered (invisible) parking. (The chiropractor was still a tenant at this stage, and unbeknown to him, was about to be evicted to make way for Camaj’s latest ‘scheme’.}

This expansion alone should have been enough to warrant a new traffic study, further community outreach, and another zoning hearing. Concerned Neighbors advised the Planning Commission of this, yet City Attorney Cathy Phelan recommended the hearing go forward regardless. The now irrelevant traffic study was then accepted without any community consideration and without an accurate traffic assessment. The traffic at the immediate intersections was not studied, neither was rear alley egress, nor were the busy times of the day and week documented … yet the city went ahead and approved this? It seems the community’s best interests and safety do not factor in.

So where is our city when they should be representing the community? Or is that representation reserved for a certain moneyed few? Gjusta is 13-1/2 feet (alley width) from neighbors homes and children’s bedrooms in a residential community. The Alcohol Beverage Control regulation 61.4 states that alcohol shouldn’t be served within 100 feet from residences. The city of LA seems to think that alcohol service on an outdoor patio until 1 am, a mere 13-1/2 feet from residents, is okay.

What do you think? Would you like a rowdy bar as your next door neighbor? Or would you like your voices heard and our laws upheld? We all have the right to peace and quiet enjoyment in our homes. Let’s speak up now, and forever have our peace!