Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Liquor License for Proposed Ralphs Hits Another Snag : Acton: If built, the grocery would be the town’s first major store. Some fear increased convenience may bring an increase in crime.

Because of insufficient public notice, the County Board of Supervisors on Thursday was forced to schedule a second hearing on a plan to grant a liquor license to a proposed Ralphs grocery store in Acton.

Dave Vannatta, planning deputy for Supervisor Mike Antonovich, estimated that approximately half of the residents living within 500 feet of where the supermarket is to be built were not notified of the hearing. State regulations require that neighbors who live or own property within 500 feet be notified of any proposed development.

In 1992, the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission granted Ralphs permission to build a 46,000-square-foot supermarket at Sierra Highway and Crown Valley Road. At the time, a conditional use permit was not required for the sale of alcoholic beverages. Subsequently, the county enacted an ordinance requiring such a permit. Last September, Ralphs’ application for a conditional-use permit to sell alcohol at the Acton site was denied. Ralphs won’t build a store without being able to sell liquor in it and has appealed the decision.

About 60 Ralphs supporters, half of them donning navy blue caps inscribed with the food chain’s insignia, showed up to support the supermarket. Proponents presented a petition with 147 signatures.

Approximately 13 opponents of the project attended and presented to Antonovich a petition with 460 signatures.

If built, the supermarket will be Acton’s first major store. Some residents of this small rural community say they moved here to escape large stores, traffic lights, sidewalks and major developments.

Others said that if the store, which would be situated just off the Antelope Valley Freeway, were granted a liquor license, Acton would experience increased crime.

Andy Small, vice president of operations for Ralphs disputed that claim.

“We think we presented our case well and provided sufficient information that a full service supermarket doesn’t contribute to crime and alcohol problems,” Small said in an interview after the hearing.

Residents favoring the store said it would bring jobs to the city and the convenience of not having to drive to Palmdale or Santa Clarita to shop for groceries.

Vannatta said opponents raised sufficient issues, among them the saturation of liquor stores in the area, that the board would consider. Opponents said there are five retail liquor stores in Acton.