Park Panel Won’t Block Concerts Set for Equidome

The Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Commission refused Friday to act on a recommendation from city officials that they block a series of summer concerts at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

The commission’s decision prompted an angry reaction from a group of Burbank residents who live near the Equestrian Center and who had hoped the concerts would be canceled.

“I feel sold out,” said attorney Geoffrey Sindon, who lives near the center. “But you can bet that all the neighbors will be out there the first night of the concert with decibel meters, and if the music is too loud, we will try to shut it down.”

Commission members said they did not know whether they had the legal authority to stop the concerts, which are scheduled to be staged inside the 4,300-seat Equidome. They also said they did not want to pass judgment on the scheduled series, which is to include performances by the band Three Dog Night, soul singer James Brown and country singer Ronnie Milsap.

The decision, which gives Equestrian Center President J. Albert Garcia full responsibility for staging the concerts, is likely to escalate the conflict between Garcia and the center’s neighbors.

Residents have complained that such concerts are too noisy and cause traffic congestion. Along with Burbank officials, they also questioned whether the concerts, being staged on the same nights as professional polo matches, fall outside the horse-related purpose of the Equidome.

The center is on the Los Angeles side of the Los Angeles-Burbank border, and is owned by the City of Los Angeles.

Series May Be in Jeopardy

Although pleased by the commission’s lack of action, Garcia said the controversy may have placed the concert series in jeopardy.

He said an independent promoter, Eddie Haddad, who has been organizing the concerts, has had difficulty making final arrangements for the events because of the complaints. Garcia said the “lack of confidence” shown by parks department and Burbank city officials may cause the performers to have second thoughts about performing in the series, scheduled to begin June 29.

In a report to the commission, Jim Heyne, an official of the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department, recommended that the concerts not be held. Heyne agreed with the residents that the series would create noise and traffic problems and that the center was not intended to be used for concerts.

Heyne said the series might place the center in competition with the Greek Theatre, which is also in Griffith Park and is owned by the City of Los Angeles.

Warned About Lawsuit

But, during the hearing Friday, Garcia told the commission that cancellation of the concerts could cause the Equestrian Center to be sued and place it in deeper financial trouble.

The center is still trying to reorganize after filing last year for protection from its creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The center also has been involved in a multimillion-dollar legal battle with its principal lender, Gibraltar Savings of Beverly Hills, and has fallen thousands of dollars behind in tax payments to the state and in rental payments to the City of Los Angeles.

Commissioner Mary Nichols said that Garcia had not been required to obtain commission approval in the past for music-oriented equestrian events such as Mexican rodeos.

Commissioner William Robertson said a decision not to allow the concerts might constitute censorship by the city.