Huntington weighs adding threat of suspension to alcohol permits

Huntington Beach is looking to add a “hammer” to its tool belt in its effort to address alcohol-fueled nuisances in the downtown area.

Planning commissioners voted 5 to 1 on Tuesday night to ask the City Council to direct city staff to study the possible benefits and pitfalls of adopting an ordinance similar to one in Newport Beach, which some commissioners believe could allow the city to suspend a restaurant or bar from serving alcohol for several days if it is in violation of its permit.

Commissioner Bill Crowe dissented in the vote, and Commissioner Connie Mandic was absent.

Commissioners Dan Kalmick and Patrick Brenden brought the item forward, saying the city needs another way to keep drinking establishments in line and reduce alcohol-related issues downtown.

Residents have long complained about inebriated downtown patrons who stumble into the surrounding neighborhood and fight, litter and relieve themselves on front yards.

“It seemed illogical, for me, that we grant liquor entitlements in perpetuity to the property,” Brenden said. “That opens up the opportunity for operators to come and go, but the liquor license stays with the property. To me, that makes no sense at all.”

Newport Beach’s operator license gives that city control over the sale of alcohol, live entertainment and hours of operation. Should a business continually violate conditions in its permit, the police chief can suspend the business from having live entertainment or from serving alcohol for a given number of days, Newport Beach City Manager Dave Kiff said.

“We think it has helped,” Kiff said. “The police chief hasn’t had to use it at all. Just having this hammer has helped things out.”

Though the state-issued alcohol license stays with the property, the business needs to apply annually for an operator permit to sell alcohol, Kalmick said.

Commissioner Mike Hoskinson supported having city staff look into Newport’s ordinance. However, he believes Huntington Beach Police Chief Robert Handy has done a lot to curb the problems downtown and that adopting an ordinance similar to Newport’s is unnecessary.

“Adding another layer of bureaucracy on this issue may be a bit too much,” Hoskinson said.

Huntington Beach police Lt. Mitch O’Brien said Newport’s ordinance is nearly identical to Huntington’s entertainment permit – the difference is that the city has no control of alcohol sales.

“The entertainment permit’s penalties are not enough to effect change in business,” Kalmick said. “If they are violating their entertainment permit, they’re obviously not playing by the rules, and the idea of the rules are for everyone to conform to the rules.”