L.A. to Sunset Junction festival: No payment, no permit

Los Angeles city officials voted Monday to deny operating permits for this weekend’s Sunset Junction festival, a decision that could mean the cancellation of one of the city’s best-known music events for the first time in three decades.

Members of the Board of Public Works voted 3 to 1 to deny the application from the Silver Lake Neighborhood Alliance, citing nearly $400,000 in unpaid fees for the 2011 and 2010 festivals. But they left open the possibility that they might reconsider the decision at their meeting Wednesday if organizers can raise nearly $142,000 owed for this year.

Festival organizers dispute some of the fees, alleging that comparable festivals are charged significantly less for policing, street closures and other city services. Attorney Phillip Tate, who represents the festival, had asked the board to accept $50,000 now and submit the rest of the bill to mediation. He told the board he did not believe organizers had more than that available but had asked for time to try to raise the rest.

“We’re obviously disappointed with what happened,” Tate said after the meeting. “We’re evaluating all of our options.”