Meeting With State Alcohol Control Board Rescheduled

City officials have rescheduled a meeting with the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for Sept. 10. to discuss the city’s allegations that the agency is overzealous in its enforcement of alcohol licenses in the city.

Officials from Gov. Pete Wilson’s office, a representative of county Supervisor Don Knabe and Hermosa Beach business owners and city officials are expected to attend the meeting. It had been scheduled for Aug. 18, but was canceled because representatives from the governor’s office were not able to attend.

Officials from Manhattan Beach also plan to attend the meeting. Although Manhattan Beach business owners have not reported any problems with the alcohol control board, city officials are concerned that the agency is exercising too much control.

Hermosa Beach city officials complained in writing to the governor in July that the agency was threatening the city’s economic advances by unfairly cracking down on restaurants and bars in Hermosa Beach. In recent months, the agency has imposed restrictions on dancing and hours of operation, and have required patrons sitting on outdoor patios to order food with their beverages.

“Everyone feels strongly about the local control issue,” said City Manager Steve Burrell. “From that standpoint it makes no sense to have community-based regulations controlled by a state agency.”