Council not hot on beer delivery

June Casagrande

Contrary to recommendations from the Police Department and

Planning Commission, City Council members Tuesday denied a request

for a pizza parlor to deliver beer and wine along with food.

“It would be insane to allow Hotties to deliver alcohol with

pizza,” resident Laura Dietz said.

The Planning Commission approved the request from Hotties Pizza

for the site at 325 Old Newport Blvd. after the Police Department

attached restrictions designed to curb liquor-related worries. The

Police Department’s report found “no serious concerns in regards to

the proposed operation,” and the document recommended safeguards:

Employees delivering beer and wine must be at least 21 years old;

entertainment, dancing and outdoor drinking are all prohibited at the

restaurant; and beer and wine can only be delivered along with food.

“There are fairly stringent conditions on the project,” said James

Campbell, a senior staff planner for the city. “The Police Department

felt that the project could be conditioned properly to make it work.”

Campbell said he did not know of any other restaurants in the city

whose liquor licenses permitted beer and wine deliveries. The city

may now consider changing its alcohol ordinance to forbid any

business from delivering liquor.

Councilman Gary Proctor, whose district includes the site, asked

that the City Council review the Planning Commission’s decision to

approve the permit. Proctor has been working with resident groups and

city officials to find a solution to excessive drinking and crime in

the area on the Fourth of July.

“I think we ought to not permit delivery of alcoholic beverages,”

Councilman Gary Proctor said.

Council members agreed that the restrictions on the pizza parlor’s

liquor license were not enough to prevent alcohol-related problems.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

[email protected].