Huntington Beach might ease restrictions on bars and restaurants
The Huntington Beach City Council on Monday is expected to consider easing restrictions that are forcing some downtown businesses to close at midnight — or earlier in certain residential-adjacent locations — a regulation that two council members say may hurt the area in the long run.
The council agenda also includes a proposal for the purchase of 20 new AR-15 rifles for the Police Department.
Mayor Pro Tem Mike Posey and Councilman Erik Peterson are seeking to amend a 2013 resolution that requires businesses that serve alcohol and have live entertainment to start closing by midnight when they seek to amend or apply for a new conditional use permit.
According to a statement submitted by Posey and Peterson, several businesses are planning to amend their conditional use permits and thus would be subject to the new restrictions — even though some establishments have been local fixtures for decades.
The city has long grappled with how to control often rowdy crowds as they leave the bars in the early morning hours.
The councilmen are asking that the council revise the resolution so that new downtown businesses are evaluated on a “case-by-case basis to determine appropriate business hours,†with a special focus on those that generate a significant number of the alcohol-related problems in the downtown area or violate the 2013 resolution.
The resolution also prohibits bars and restaurants from admitting new customers 30 minutes before closing time, requires last call no later than 15 minutes before closing and urges installation of surveillance cameras.
Businesses find it easier to follow the conditions on alcohol sales and consumption, but “the stipulation to change existing business hours ... has resulted in hardship for several establishments,†the councilmen’s statement says.
Peterson and Posey say they worry that the resolution could discourage new businesses from settling downtown.
If the council adopts the motion on Monday, then City Attorney Michael Gates and staff would analyze the legal implications of modifying the existing resolution.
Proposal for new rifles for police
The council will also consider allocating $54,113 for the purchase of 20 AR-15 rifles for the Huntington Beach police patrol unit.
The department currently has 58 AR-15 patrol rifles, but several are failing and need to be replaced, according to City Manager Fred Wilson.
His report says that patrol rifles allow officers to be better prepared when encountered by suspects who have body armor and high-capacity magazines in their guns.
“Recent attacks on police officers and high-profile public locations, such as the San Bernardino shooting, have caused our department to evaluate the need for additional rifles in the field,†the report says.
The AR-15s are specifically given to officers working patrol and investigative assignments. Each officer is trained in a program certified by the California Police Officers Standards and Training, which sets selection and training standards for state law enforcement, and must qualify twice a year, the report says.
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