Monterey Park : Alcohol Sale Rules OKd

In a move to gain greater control over the sale of alcoholic beverages, the City Council on Monday unanimously approved stricter rules on businesses that sell packaged beer, wine and liquor.

Under the new rules, businesses granted state liquor licenses to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premises must receive a conditional-use permit from the city. These establishments also will be required to be at least 600 feet from a public or private school. This does not apply to the holders of existing licenses.

Several council members, reacting to 12 speakers from the audience who decried the damage that results from alcohol abuse, also suggested they may enact further controls. The council directed the city’s Planning Department to study a model ordinance which was advocated by the proponents of more restrictions.

One resident, Saul Leff, called the new limits “a Band-Aid approach” to the problem of alcohol abuse. Another speaker, Ray Chavira who served on a county panel on alcoholism, described drinking as the “No. 1 cause of death among 15 to 24-year-olds.”