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A recommendation to revoke MGM Banquet Hall’s zoning use certificate was rescinded after city officials confirmed that the necessary equipment to accommodate an open-flame grill in the kitchen had been installed, Neighborhood Services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