CPC-2018-4660-CA Restaurant Beverage Program Citywide Draft Code Amendment November 2, 2018
BACKGROUND Initiated by City Council Motion Directed City Planning to create a streamlined process for select restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages Current Conditional Use Permit process for any business selling alcohol 6+ months processing time $12,500+ permit fees Same process required for restaurants, nightclubs, bars, & liquor stores
BACKGROUND Ordinance levels playing field for all restaurateurs Challenge for independent restaurants to stay in business while waiting for alcohol license Reduces Cost Delay Uncertainty Encourage local restaurants to be able to operate and provide services to the community
BACKGROUND City of Los Angeles does not authorize sale of alcohol Only allows businesses to pursue a permit from Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) City of Los Angeles enforces land use matters Easier to enforce with standardized conditions ABC enforces matters related to sale of alcohol
RESTAURANT BEVERAGE PROGRAM Administrative Review Specific Plan requirements for a Conditional Use Permit (CUB) will supersede Action includes over 30 standards, guaranteed by recorded covenant Standards include conditions typically imposed by CUB Bars, nightclubs, & liquor stores are NOT eligible All ineligible operations still require CUB
RESTAURANT BEVERAGE PROGRAM Standards Must be a restaurant with seating, kitchen, full menu Food service must be offered while open Restaurant cannot be only for takeout or delivery Cannot have a drive-through
RESTAURANT BEVERAGE PROGRAM Standards Daily hours limited to 7AM 11PM No live entertainment (incl. dancing, karaoke, or DJ) No outdoor music/tvs; only ambient indoor music Other requirements regularly imposed on CUBs (e.g., STAR training, camera surveillance, graffiti removal)
RESTAURANT BEVERAGE PROGRAM Standards Neighborhood Council and Council Office notification within 14 days of administrative clearance Notification will contain covenanted standards & Department of Building and Safety contact information to report code violations
ENFORCEMENT Enrollment in the Monitoring Verification Inspection Program required Two City-initiated inspections Department of Building and Safety Code Enforcement Police Department
ENFORCEMENT Department of Building and Safety issues Order to Comply when in violation of standards? Three levels of enforcement: Operator given opportunity to comply Operate may seek Conditional Use Permit Refusal to comply will result in criminal proceeding, City Attorney involvement X
ENFORCEMENT California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) regulates the sale of alcohol ABC has their own process for issuing licenses ABC public hearing and investigation may be required Corrective actions could include license suspension
TIMELINE PLUM and Ad Hoc Jobs Committee Council directed DCP to draft ordinance Draft Ordinance Released Staff Level Hearing City Planning Commission March 21, 2018 Report-back was submitted August 14, 2018 October 17, 2018 Draft Ordinance, FAQ, and Hearing Notice available on planning.lacity.org December 5, 2018 10:00 AM at City Hall, Room 1060 NEW HEARING ADDED January 31, 2019 6:30 PM at Braude Building, 1 st Floor Tentatively scheduled for April, 2019 LADOT
thank you Please submit comments by February 15, 2019 esther.ahn@lacity.org More information: planning.lacity.org /Planning4LA @Planning4LA