Local News in Brief : Torrance Amends Alcohol Law

In an effort to regulate gasoline stations that seek to sell alcoholic beverages, the Torrance City Council has unanimously approved an ordinance that places restrictions on such sales.

The ordinance passed Tuesday replaces a 1986 ban on beer and wine sales at gas stations. Last year, the state Legislature passed a law invalidating the bans, but allowed cities to put restrictions on gas stations that sell alcohol. At least 30 California cities had passed such bans.

The new ordinance, which prohibits the sale of hard liquor, will not affect the five to 10 gas stations that now sell beer or wine in the city, said City Atty. Kenneth Nelson.

The ordinance prohibits drive-up window sales, beer and wine advertisements on gasoline pump islands, and the sale of beer and wine within 300 feet of a liquor store, unless the city finds that a need exists for such sales.

The restrictions also require a minimum enclosed area of retail-sales space of 1,000 square feet and limits the percentage of beer and wine sales to 35% of total sales.