Permit Clears Way for Liquor License
The City Council approved a conditional-use permit for the Big Red Family Entertainment Center that will allow the business to apply for a state liquor license.
The permit has dampened the spirits of the members of the San Fernando Valley Partnership, which opposes increasing the number of businesses selling alcohol in the city.
The group has been working against the granting of Big Red’s permit since the entertainment center applied for it to the San Fernando Planning Commission seven months ago.
“There are so many outlets already [in San Fernando] that sell alcohol,” said Juana Mojica, project director at the partnership. “The partnership is going to make sure that the needs of the community are known and not ignored.”
John Becker, chairman of the city’s Planning Commission, said a study conducted by the commission found that a license for Big Red would not necessarily increase crime in the area.
The owners of Big Red agreed to remove arcade games from the premises as one of the conditions of its permit.
“We’re glad that the council agreed with the Planning Commission’s decision and hope that all parties involved can come to some kind of an agreement,” Becker said.
The San Fernando Valley Partnership plans to go before the Alcohol Beverage Commission and ask that Big Red’s liquor license not be granted.
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