MEASURE TO REMOVE SECURITY GATES ANGERS VAN NUYS STORE OWNERS.

Byline: James Nash Staff Writer

VAN NUYS - Some Van Nuys Boulevard merchants say the city is asking them to trade security for aesthetics by calling for them to remove the metal security gates protecting the fronts of their stores.

As part of an attempt to revive a long-suffering stretch of Van Nuys Boulevard in the heart of Van Nuys, city officials in March adopted regulations such as a moratorium on swap meets and adult-oriented businesses, and new architectural standards.

A little-noticed - until recently - regulation requires store owners to remove the sliding metal gates on the exterior of many storefronts.

While the city is allowing store owners to move the gates inside the stores, some merchants say that option is too costly and removing the gates altogether would make them vulnerable to break-ins and vandalism.

``They think they're going to help business in Van Nuys, but they're actually going to make it worse,'' said Carlos Abarca, who owns a business that sells and repairs vacuum cleaners and sewing machines. ``I wouldn't want to shop at a place that has graffiti all over it.''

Supporters of the city's Community Design Overlay - the package of regulations and street-scaping improvements intended to breathe new life into downtown Van Nuys - say the metal security fencing makes the area appear unpleasant and crime-ridden.

``They look horrible,'' said Nancy Hoffman, head of the Mid-Valley Chamber of Commerce. ``As a chamber, we're usually not for anything that would make it more expensive for small businesses. But part of economic vitality is having people want to come and shop there.''

Hoffman said new government buildings in downtown Van Nuys are bringing employees and jurors to the neighborhood. The city regulations are supposed to capitalize on the increased foot traffic by giving people an attractive place to shop and do business, she said.

Abarca and others say the security gates are only closed when the businesses are, so they deter thieves and vandals, not shoppers.

Igor Shukhman, part-owner of The Pawn Broker, said his store contains thousands of dollars worth of jewelry that he can't entrust to burglar alarms and glass windows alone.

``We need these gates for protection,'' Shukhman said. ``For us, this is the most important thing.''

Shukhman estimated that moving the gates inside his store would cost as much as $30,000, because the design of his storefront wouldn't allow the gate to be moved inside without a major remodeling. Abarca, whose business has a simpler storefront, said the requirement would cost him about $1,500.

The Community Design Overlay was devised by the office of Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, who represented Van Nuys before council districts were redrawn in June. Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, who now represents the area, said she has asked city code inspectors to delay the enforcement of the rules on security gates.

``We don't want to have a situation where it looks lovely but people are losing their inventory,'' said Galanter, adding that she will meet with merchants to work out a solution.

Miscikowski deputy Sandy Kievman said business owners were invited to meetings in Van Nuys to discuss the provisions of the Community Design Overlay, and no one protested the rule on exterior gates.

Van Nuys Homeowners Association President Don Schultz called for a wait-and-see approach. Noting that new Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton has vowed a crackdown on crime, Schultz said store owners shouldn't be forced to take down the exterior gates until they are better protected from break-ins and vandalism.

``If I were a business, I'd want to protect my business,'' Schultz said.

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Photo:

(color) Carlos Abarca, who owns Herron's Sales and Service, is upset the city might require him to remove a metal security gate in front of his Van Nuys store.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer