J. L. Thomas, Inc. v. County of Los Angeles

—J. L. Thomas, Inc., and J. L. Thomas, doing business as Hollywood East, appeal from a judgment denying their petition for writ of mandate in which plaintiffs (hereinafter Thomas) challenged (1) the decisions and orders of the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission (Commission) denying an application for a conditional use permit to operate a cabaret featuring live adult entertainment and (2) the decision of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (Board) denying Thomas’s appeal of the Commission’s decision.

Factual and Procedural Background

Hollywood East, a cabaret featuring adult entertainment and located at 13217 East Valley Boulevard, was established before December 22, 1978, the date of enactment of the county’s adult entertainment ordinance. The cabaret is located within the M-l-BE zone (light industrial; billboard exclusion) which permits the cabaret use with a conditional use permit.

In 1984, Thomas applied to continue the cabaret use, which application was denied by the Board on December 20, 1984; in 1986, Thomas applied for a conditional use permit, which was granted, with 13 conditions, by the Commission; although there was no opposition…