Early bar closings rules still under review in Huntington Beach
The Huntington Beach City Council on Monday considered changes to a resolution that requires some downtown businesses to close at midnight.
It also approved the creation of a homelessness committee and authorized a conceptual plan for upgrading a decaying neighborhood park.
City staff presented ways to amend a 2013 resolution that requires downtown businesses that serve alcohol to start closing at midnight at the point when they seek to amend or apply for a new conditional use permit.
Staff recommended that reviewing bodies like the Planning Commission be able to amend conditions, including closing hours, with a public hearing.
Other recommendations included strengthening live-entertainment permits to allow stricter enforcement and revoking conditional use permits as a means of disciplining businesses.
The ordinance was originally passed as part of the city’s continuing effort to control often-rowdy crowds leaving the area’s bars in the wee hours, but council members Erik Peterson and Mike Posey proposed looking into amending the resolution, which they contend may hurt downtown businesses.
In particular, it may prevent existing businesses from applying to make alterations or improvements to their properties because that would trigger the midnight closing requirement.
Council members saw flaws in the staff’s recommendations.
Peterson said revoking permits is a long process and he wanted staff to provide a more timely ability to discipline bad businesses.
Councilman Patrick Brenden said he still saw a problem because business owners would continue to be penalized for making improvements to their properties.
Following the session, City Attorney Michael Gates said staff will go back to the drawing board and return with new recommendations to the council.
Homelessness committee authorized
The council also unanimously approved an item submitted by Councilman Billy O’Connell requesting the formation of a council committee, which will, according to a statement from O’Connell, “work with key stakeholders to formulate a homelessness work plan.”
This plan would be based on the recommendations presented to the council by the Homeless Task Force in March 2016. The group was established about a year earlier.
In the statement, O’Connell said the council has not made enough progress in implementing the plans of the task force and needs to take steps toward creating a “comprehensive plan” to tackle homelessness in the city.
O’Connell said at the meeting that homelessness has cost the city millions of dollars, citing police and hospitalization expenses, while harming residents’ quality of life.
“It’s time this city does something for the homeless,” O’Connell said.
Councilman Patrick Brenden said he supported the item because it would allow the council to be more hands-on.
Peterson also lent support while crediting the public works and police departments for their efforts.
He also expressed concern about other needs in the city as well as the cost to taxpayers.
Irby Park plan approved
The council also unanimously approved a conceptual master plan for Irby Park, which is in a residential area at 6770 Ruth Drive.
Only about 3 acres of the 11-acre park is developed, leaving much of the land filled with unwieldy weeds and vegetation. A city manager’s report says the undeveloped portions have “peat moss conditions,” making the area unsuitable for homes.
Councilwoman Jill Hardy said she has come to realize that the residents love the park and has no doubt that the neighbors will help implement the plan, which, according to the city manager’s report, includes a loop trail system, benches, decorative fencing and landscaping improvements.
The estimated project cost is $1.9 million.
City staff worked with recreation studies students at Cal State Long Beach to get input from the community. Students used findings from their survey to draft the conceptual plan, which they presented about a year ago to the Huntington Beach Community Services Commission, which makes recommendations to the council on development, acquisition and park renovation matters. The commission then worked with landscaping firm RJM Design Group to refine the plan, the report says.
Many residents showed up to the meeting to voice their support for the park.
Steve Engel said it’s “been a long road,” and it would be great to finally see the park improved. He and his wife, Shari, have worked to redevelop the Secret Garden, a plot behind the Huntington Beach Public Library.
Erick Blaha, who lives near Irby Park, said the park is “ugly” and can be riddled with trash.
The project will now undergo an environmental review.
Grant to combat violence against women
The council unanimously approved the final term in a three-year grant that funds the Police Department’s efforts to “combat, investigate, and prosecute domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking cases,” according to a report submitted by City Manager Fred Wilson.
The grant is funded by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. This year’s grant is $272,183; the city will add to that $68,046, the report says.
The grant largely funds two victim advocates and two part-time domestic violence investigators, the report says.
Twitter: @benbrazilpilot
