OUTDOOR GRILLING IN GLENDALE ROASTED COUNCILMEN SAY ISSUE TURNED INTO A CULTURAL STANDOFF.

Byline: EUGENE TONG  Staff Writer

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.''

eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com

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