New Liquor Outlets May See Tighter Restrictions

New liquor and convenience stores could face stricter regulation of their lighting, security and hours of operation as the city continues to try to prevent irresponsible alcohol sales.

A proposal that the City Council will consider Monday would require every new market to apply for a conditional use permit. That would allow council members to set stricter guidelines and gives the city the authority to revoke permits of businesses that sell to minors or commit other violations.

“We’ve been looking for ways for many years to deal with irresponsible proprietors,” Councilman Joe Erickson said. “It’s not prohibition, it’s meant to crack down on people who do a bad job. Responsible proprietors won’t be affected by this.”

If passed, the new law would not apply to existing businesses.

Erickson said requiring the conditional permits would give the city greater authority because only the state Alcoholic Beverage Control can issue and revoke permanent liquor licenses.

“It gives us a lot more leverage in working with the ABC, which is typically undermanned to police liquor outlets here in Southern California,” Erickson said. “Ideally, the use permit process would ensure responsible managers.”

Some existing markets already have conditional permits because they sought exceptions to city regulations, such as late hours of operation.

Concerned with drunk driving and other crimes, the council has considered several ways recently to control sales to minors and people already intoxicated.

A moratorium that would have challenged all new liquor-license requests that go before the ABC was shelved by the council Monday as too prohibitive.