CYPRESS : Sale of Beer, Wine at Swap Meet Allowed

Sale of beer and wine at an outdoor swap meet, scheduled to open next month at the Los Alamitos Race Track, won approval from the City Council.

The council also approved most of the plans for a concession area and restrooms at the swap meet.

One resident, John Parker, urged the council to reject the sale of beer and wine. Parker said that adding another outlet for sale of alcoholic beverages was hardly a progressive step.

But a city report to the council recommended approval. The report said that beer and wine sales are allowed at the Orange County Fairgrounds swap meet and at one in Santa Fe Springs.

City officials recommended that sale of beer and wine be part of an annual review of the swap meet. The council agreed.

The council’s motion unanimously granting a conditional-use permit for alcoholic beverage sales stipulated that city government could revoke the permission if there were “substantial complaints.”

In approving concession and restroom plans, the council vetoed a proposed awning with peaks and pennants.

“It’s the carnival atmosphere we’re not going for,” Councilwoman Joyce C. Nicholson said.

The applicant for the swap meet, Lloyd Arnold, agreed to make design changes suitable to the council. Arnold also praised the city staff for speedily moving along the plans for the swap meet.

Councilwoman Gail H. Kerry commented that the city tries to help new businesses by making the plans-approval process “really fast track.” Kerry also praised the city staff for its rapid work. “It makes a difference with business,” she said.