Is There Alcohol Overkill in MB?

The Manhattan Beach City Council sent alcohol back to the city's planning commission Tuesday night, asking it to research how other cities tackle the issue of alcohol sales and consumption.

With 33 businesses that sell liquor and 86 restaurants and bars with alcohol service in the city, and more alcohol permit applications in their hands, the planning commission had asked Council to provide direction on the city's stance on alcohol. 

At Tuesday night's meeting, Mayor Nick Tell asked City Attorney Roxanne Diaz whether or not the city has the authority to just say "Enough." 

Diaz said that the city has limited jurisdiction, that state government holds major jurisdiction on zoning, and that the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has dual responsibility for both issuing liquor licenses and regulating existing licenses.

Councilwoman Amy Howorth, referring to a recent health assessment, by Vitality City, of Manhattan Beach residents, said that while Manhattan Beach residents were healthy in many ways, the assessment found that they suffered from high levels of stress and anger, "in which alcohol plays a part.” She suggested that the city work with Vitality City on the issue of how to deal with alcohol in a community. Howorth said that reducing the number of signs advertising alcohol in the city could be a start.

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Activist and Manhattan Beach resident Edward Caprielian spoke before Council, pointing out the negative cumulative effect of alcohol, especially on youth, referencing the Los Angeles County Health Report Reducing Alcohol-Related Harms in Los Angeles County.

The report was written about in the April 24, 2011 edition of the Daily Breeze. That article, “Alcohol Takes a Toll in South Bay,” stated that the "Beach Cities have some of the highest concentration of bars and other drinking establishments in Los Angeles County, and some of the highest rates of alcohol-related car crashes," said Caprielian.

In a letter addressed to city council, Caprielian said that the purpose of the report is to assist communities in designing strategies to reduce alcohol-related harm, and that numerous studies have demonstrated that a high density of alcohol outlets increases alcohol consumption which contributes to physical and mental health diseases, alcohol-related car crashes, and crime.

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Caprielian expressed concern for today's youths and asked that council "look at the broader picture." He commended them for addressing the issue of smoking by banning it on The Strand and in city parks, including Veterans Parkway, and asked that they look at the cumulative impact alcohol has on the community.

Council directed the planning commission to study other cities to determine their “Best Practices,” and to determine what tools the city has to reduce the number of outlets selling alcohol. They also asked the commission to contact the Beach Cities Health District concerning partnering with Vitality City.

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Currently, the city requires a Conditional Use Permit for establishments selling alcohol and approves the establishment's request on a case-by case basis, considering hours of operation, food service, sound, crowd control, entertainment, parking, and the concerns of neighbors.   

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