COSTA MESA : Council to Take Up Tavern Restrictions

Local bar, restaurant and nightclub owners are expected to turn out at tonight’s City Council meeting to protest a proposed ordinance that could restrict the hours that some local businesses can serve alcohol.

The ordinance, which officials say is designed to halt encroachment of noisy and boisterous activities into residential neighborhoods, would apply to new restaurants, bars and nightclubs in the city, along with any existing establishments that change owners.

The proposed ordinance would require owners of these businesses to go to the Planning Commission to get a conditional use permit if they sell alcoholic beverages between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. It also would require new business owners to get use permits if they are located within 200 feet of residential property and plan to stay open between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Robert (Zeb) Ziemer, owner of Henry n’ Harry’s Goat Hill Tavern, said he has mailed out 120 copies of the controversial ordinance to other restaurant and bar owners, along with a request for them to attend the meeting tonight and fight the proposed action.

Ziemer said he is worried that owners might have trouble selling their businesses if buyers are faced with the uncertainty of getting permission from the city Planning Commission to operate or sell alcohol during certain hours.