Police Panel OKs Nude Juice Bar Despite Protests

VAN NUYS — Over the objections of residents and Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, the Police Permit Review Panel on Wednesday approved a nude juice bar in Van Nuys.

Opponents of the Spearmint Rhino bar won some concessions at the end of their two-year battle to keep the business out of their neighborhood, including promises that the club would provide adequate parking, post two uniformed security guards, prevent lewd conduct and close by 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. No alcohol will be served at the club, to be located at 15004 Oxnard St.

The vote was unanimous, but one member voiced her sympathy for residents who had collected 200 signatures of people opposing the permit.

Pointing out that she lives in the San Fernando Valley, panel member Anita Castellanos told the homeowners she is “very sympathetic with the issues that bring you here.”

Castellanos urged residents to be watchdogs and to report any violations of the club’s permit to the police.

“It’s like every dog is entitled to his first bite,” Castellanos said. “This dog hasn’t bitten anybody yet. It’s going to be up to you to watch for that first bite,” she said.

Glenn Barr, an aide to Miscikowski, objected that no public hearing had been held before the panel. He said Miscikowski had requested one 16 months ago and that her office was assured repeatedly by Police Commission staff members that a hearing would be possible and easy to arrange.

“It is incomprehensible how this oversight has occurred,” Barr said.

Ken Ferber, a spokesman for the Board of Police Commissioners, said there had been no oversight.

“There may be a misunderstanding of what is a public hearing. This is a public hearing,” Ferber said, referring to Wednesday’s meeting at which the vote was taken.

Richard Thompson, a homeowner who lives three blocks from the club, said, “We feel something of an end-run has been done around us.”