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Following the revocation of outdoor seating permits for several Westwood restaurants and cafes, K

In the face of city authority, one Westwood merchant is taking his plight to the people.

Kelly Aladdin, owner of Elysee Bakery and Cafe, started a petition last month protesting the revocation of outdoor seating permits for several Westwood restaurants and cafes, including his own.

The petition was sent to the Los Angeles City Council Thursday. According to Aladdin, the council said it would discuss the situation with city engineers.

The petition does not propose a specific course of action, but states the desire of the petitioners to continue having outdoor seating.

“The petition represents the voice of the people,” Aladdin said.

He said the petition was signed by 850 to 1,000 customers, residents, professors and students.

According to Mike Walters of the L.A. Bureau of Engineering, Westwood businesses had operated under revocable permits issued for the purpose of outdoor dining.

In response to complaints made earlier in the year by an anonymous Westwood citizen, the Bureau of Engineering revoked the permits.

The complaints pointed out the permits were in violation of the 10 foot minimum clearance that the Westwood Village Specific Plan requires between outdoor seating and the street.

The permits were issued in error, Walters said.

The Bureau of Engineering began notifying merchants that their permits were revoked on Jan. 31.

Sergeant Carmine Sasso of the LAPD said there had been problems with outdoor seating extending too far into the sidewalk for several months.

On some occasions, pedestrian traffic had “(spilled) over into the public roadway,” Sasso said.

He said the sidewalk traffic situation had improved after the permits were revoked.

While some businesses have more than 10 feet of clearance and have not been affected, 13 Westwood restaurants and cafes have had to reduce their outdoor seating or eliminate it altogether.

Aladdin pointed to the lack of a Business Improvement District to represent Westwood merchants in this matter.

“We don’t have an association to talk on our behalf,” Aladdin said.

The former BID was ended last fall by Councilman Weiss who represents Los Angeles’ Fifth District that includes Westwood.

Lisa Hansen, Weiss’ Communications Director, said the Councilman did not have jurisdiction over the matter.

“It’s not up to us,” she said.

Mr. Noodle is one restaurant that had to remove all of its outdoor seating.

Jay Srivichienchai, a Mr. Noodle employee, said they did not have sufficient tables for customers during busy periods.

Elysee Bakery and Cafe has also had to take in all of its tables.

Aladdin said outdoor seating at restaurants and cafes attracts customers to Westwood and increases the visibility of other businesses.

Some restaurants affected by the law have not noted a change in business.

Gary Becker, manager of BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, said business has “not at all” changed after outdoor seating was removed.

Students and customers, on the other hand, had a negative reaction to the removal of sidewalk seating.

“What (the city) did to (the restaurant) was unfair,” said Vahagn Kzelgezyan, a long-time patron of Habibi Cafe which also had to remove its tables.

Kzelgezyan also said there is plenty of space on the sidewalk for tables and pedestrians to share.

Alana Gallardo, a second-year psychology student and BJ’s customer, also disagreed with the regulation.

“Every place is always packed, so any extra seating would be convenient,” she said.

Councilman Weiss’ office can be reached at (213) 485-5013.