Just as she did during her lifetime, the late Marilyn Monroe continues to arouse curiosity even after her death. However, the city of Los Angeles took action Friday to ban tour buses from traveling near Monroe’s former home in Brentwood, after the property was declared a historic cultural landmark in June.

By a vote of 13 to 0, council members approved a motion introduced by Councilwoman Traci Park and seconded by Councilman John Lee. Park’s motion directed the Department of Transportation to review sections of road to restrict tour bus operations in the following areas:

— Fifth Helena Drive between Carmelina Avenue and the cul-de-sac of Fifth Helena Drive; and

– Carmelina Avenue between Sunset and San Vicente Boulevard.

Department staff are expected to report and make recommendations on how to implement the restrictions.

Council members Imelda Padilla and Heather Hutt were absent from the vote.

Monroe’s house was declared a historic cultural landmark two months ago. Park, who represents the 11th District, which includes the property at 2305 W. Fifth Helena Drive, pushed for it. The city worked to save the house after the owners tried to demolish it last year.

The actress died of an overdose in her home on August 4, 1962 at the age of 36. Monroe was one of the most popular Hollywood stars in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Residents near the Brentwood home raised privacy and safety concerns related to the naming, but Park said she would do so.

Peter Sheridan, an attorney for Brinah Milstein, Glory of the Snow 1031 Trust, and Roy Bank, owner of Brentwood Home, had criticized the council’s actions at the time.

“Today’s appointment was another step in an admittedly biased, unconstitutional and rigged process, as outlined in the owners’ lawsuit. Traci Park’s conduct today and throughout the process, in which she disregarded the interests of her constituents as well as the facts and merits, demonstrates that no one’s home or investment is safe,” Sheridan said in a statement on June 26.

The property owners had objected to the classification of the property and sued the city for an injunction. On June 4, a judge provisionally rejected their request.

Attorneys for the property owners had previously filed court documents with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant saying the city was violating the law by attempting to historicize the house. The couple bought the property last July for $8.35 million and received a demolition permit from the city — which was later revoked.

The judge issued a preliminary ruling in favor of the city and described Milstein-Bank’s motion as a “poorly disguised attempt to successfully conclude the process so that the house can be demolished and the historic cultural monument issue resolved.”

The couple will not suffer irreparable harm from the denial of a temporary restraining order because the city council will take up the matter, Chalfant said.

— City News Service