SEAL BEACH : Late-Night Drinking Stirs Up a Debate

The divisive issue of alcohol sales on Main Street drew a crowd again, as nearly 100 people packed the council chambers this week for a public hearing on whether a restaurant should be allowed extended hours.

The hearing was held by the City Council, which, after more than two hours of sometimes heated testimony, decided to put off a decision until next week on whether to allow the Seaside Grill to remain open for one additional hour at night, until 11 p.m.

Last month, the Planning Commission granted the extra hours for the restaurant, which also serves liquor. But angry residents appealed the vote to the City Council, complaining that the move would cause more late-night noise and parking problems in their neighborhood.

Residents on both sides of the issue were out in force at Monday’s hearing. Some said allowing the restaurant to stay open until 11 p.m. would harm their community, while others insisted that the establishment is a community asset that deserves a break.

The Seaside Grill and other alcohol-serving establishments have long been scorned by some residents, who say they bring undesirable people into Seal Beach. A few residents reported that drunken patrons have vomited on their lawns and kept them up late at night with their banter.

“This is going to affect people’s property values,” resident Reva Olson said. The extra hours would bring more patrons and cars to the area, she added. “Already, tenants can’t find parking places.”

Others agreed.

“We don’t want Seal Beach Main Street to be another Belmont Shores (in Long Beach),” resident Gordon Shanks said. The extended hours would “bring in the wrong element. . . . Let’s keep Seal Beach a family town.”

The comments were similar to those made in a series of meetings leading up to the Planning Commission’s decision. Commissioners who voted to approve the extended business hours said at the time that, while they sympathized with the residents’ concerns, they didn’t believe that the Seaside Grill was creating any problems.

That point was repeated Monday by restaurant supporters, who said the Seaside Grill has a family atmosphere and does not attract “people of low character.”

“The Seaside Grill is a good place,” said resident and restaurant patron Linda Dobson. “The people are kind and like to be in this area.”

Another patron added: “This is a wholesome place. It has a clean atmosphere.”

Rey L. Ochoa, attorney for the Seaside Grill’s owner, Ron Sesler, asked the council for a delay in its decision so that he could further review the case.

The City Council will probably vote on the matter at its Monday meeting.