Moderation but Not Prohibition : City Council wisely steers sensible middle course in controversial liquor stores issue

Hundreds of buildings went up in flames during the riots that swept Los Angeles. Among those lost to the fury of the fires were many liquor stores in South Los Angeles. As rebuilding gets under way, the Los Angeles City Council has been faced with a tough question: how to deal with the conflicting concerns regarding liquor stores. Some community members want to drastically cut the number of these stores; many store owners want to quickly resume their livelihood. The council this week took reasonable steps to deal with that dicey political issue.

A council-approved ordinance, which takes effect immediately, first deals with the larger issue of how to get non -controversial businesses going again. While owners rebuild, such businesses will be permitted to operate for up to year in temporary quarters erected on now-vacant lots. The ordinance also defers fees on all such stores that are rebuilt and waives hearings for businesses typically not opposed by neighbors, such as supermarkets and service stations.

Liquor stores clearly don’t fall into the non-controversial category. Many church and community groups don’t want to see replacement of a single liquor store that was destroyed. A survey this month by the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control found 728 current liquor licenses--more than Rhode Island’s total--in roughly 70 square miles of South Los Angeles. Citing the state figures, the Community Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment places the ratio of liquor outlets in South-Central at one for every 686 residents.

The council had to consider those disturbing facts. It also had to consider the owners of the destroyed liquor stores, which often served as neighborhood groceries in areas that have no major supermarkets. So the council, while speeding the rebuilding process for many businesses, kept in place existing rules for “conditional use” businesses such as liquor stores, auto repair shops and pawn shops. These businesses must undergo public hearings before they can rebuild, and they could face the imposition of conditions such as shortened business hours or special lighting.

The public hearing process will likely not satisfy those who want to shut down all liquor stores. Nor will it satisfy owners who want to rebuild without delay. But it will allow for an airing of the fundamental disagreement and perhaps provide for better long-term solutions--including finding city incentives that would nurture new businesses in South Los Angeles that everyone could feel good about.