OUTDOOR GRILLING IN GLENDALE ROASTED
By Eugene Tong, Staff Writer

Los Angeles Daily News, CA
Oct 19 2006

Councilmen say issue turned into a cultural standoff

Article Last Updated:10/18/2006 08:52:56 PM PDT GLENDALE – An ordinance
to legalize outdoor grilling for local businesses – often practiced
at banquet halls catering to Armenian-Americans – has died after
failing to garner enough City Council support.

The 3-2 vote Tuesday night broke down along ethnic lines, with the
council’s Armenian-American majority in favor and Mayor Dave Weaver
and Councilman Frank Quintero dissenting.

Passage required at least four votes on the five-member panel.

Current laws require all commercial cooking to be done indoors.

"Many years ago, we set the rule that commercial barbecues should be
done inside," Weaver said. "We should not move backward."

It was a victory for vocal critics who have complained that excessive
noise, smoke and parking congestion from local banquet halls disrupt
their neighborhoods.

"We are taking (the existing ban) off the books to allow a hazard,"
said resident Margaret Hammond, speaking against the ordinance. "They
should be made to put these grills inside."

Councilman Bob Yousefian, who is Armenian-American, said Wednesday
the city missed an opportunity to create a reasonable law that could
resolve the issue for all parties.

"The reality is there has been grilling outdoors in this city for
at least 30 years," he said. "In those days there were not a lot of
Armenians, there were other races that did grilling outside.

"This issue isn’t about grilling. The issue is the Armenians are
grilling. I tried to change this to make this about grilling instead of
about banquet halls or Armenian banquet halls. But I couldn’t do that."

The proposed ordinance would require grill operators to register
with the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Businesses with
grills larger than 10 square feet and used within 200 feet of homes
need to apply for a conditional-use permit.

There also were specific guidelines for grill construction and fire
safety regulations. In a last-minute attempt to sway the dissenters,
Councilman Ara Najarian proposed the ordinance expire in December
2007 so the council can remove or adjust it if needed.

"This is not a closed deal," Najarian, also Armenian-American, said
Tuesday. "I want to know if the regulations are going to solve the bulk
of the problems. I’m happy to tighten it up if this is insufficient."

After the vote, Yousefian urged the city to enforce the ban on outdoor
grilling, whether they’re operated by banquet halls, supermarkets or
at special events. "If we’re going to enforce the rule, you enforce
it on everyone."

Vrej Sarkissian, president of the Restaurant and Banquet Hall Owners
Association, which represents 13 of the city’s halls, said he was
disappointed by the decision.

Grilling and barbecue using charcoal and copious fanning to whip the
flames – khorovats in Armenian – has been a part of family celebrations
for centuries.

"We put a lot of time and energy into this ordinance, and I think
this is something the majority of the residents wanted," he said.

"I’m disappointed that certain individuals didn’t recognize the
cultural significance of outdoor grilling."