Panel Subgroup to Lead Alcohol Policy Discussion

The Hermosa Beach Planning Commission unanimously decided Tuesday night to form a subcommittee to explore ways in which the city can reduce downtown.

The Hermosa Beach City Council to appoint the subcommittee to discuss the issue with local businesses and research what policy could be considered.

The council suggested the following ideas, among others, the could be explored, according to a city staff report:

• Capping the number of bars and restaurants allowed within city limits;
• capping the total hours in the city or restaurants for on-sale alcohol;
• reducing hours in exchange for eliminating the potential to use those hours in the future;
• defining incentives that are of value to businesses (such as business license fees, etc.);
• balancing one element for another, such as taking away two late night operating hours in return for something.

"They were interested in the subcommittee reaching out to businesses... and think outside of the box," Community Development Director Ken Robertson told the Planning Commission.

Commissioners Kent Allen and Peter Hoffman volunteered to join the subcommittee. 

Blue 32

The Planning Commission also discussed how to respond to reports that on Hermosa Avenue was cited by the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for operating without its liquor license.

The license for the location was sold in December 2010, according to city reports. Blue 32 was still in operation until April 8, when the owner was cited.

"We had no idea about the license transferring, being surrendered, being sold," Restaurant owner David Lowe told commissioners Tuesday. "The last time we had problems was 40 months ago… since then we’ve operated with no problems. Then something like this happens, it’s completely a paperwork issue, it's an administration problem [and] I’m scared to death this will put us out of business."

To allow for more time to uncover and understand exactly what happened to the license, the Planning Commission unanimously decided to revisit the issue at its next meeting May 17.