Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

The License Is Heavily Conditioned, with Restrictions To the Hours of Operation and No Happy Hours

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) today adopted a decision by an administrative law judge and will issue a liquor license to a restaurant in the Chumash Casino and Resort in Santa Ynez. Consumption of alcohol is restricted to the third-floor restaurant and alcohol is entirely prohibited in the casino area.

"We recognize that this is a very sensitive issue for the community of Santa Ynez and we appreciate that people took time to voice their concerns," said ABC Director, Jerry R. Jolly. "Due to the input received, the Department has adopted additional prevention and enforcement measures to address safety concerns."

In addition to 13 conditions already agreed to last year by the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians, ABC has added two more conditions: 1) Happy Hours or the selling of discounted alcoholic beverages will not be allowed; and, 2) The hours during which alcoholic beverages can be sold, served or consumed at the restaurant are limited to between the hours of 9 a.m. and midnight on Sunday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday (state law authorizes the sale, service and consumption of alcoholic beverages between the hours of 6 a.m. and 2 a.m., unless restricted further by conditions on a license, which is the case with the Chumash Casino and Resort liquor license).

ABC received input from Santa Barbara County Supervisor Gail Marshall, and upon consideration the Department adopted some of the conditions she recommended. These conditions make it clear that the sale, service, and consumption of alcohol are limited to the restaurant area. In addition, sufficient lighting is required in the parking lot area to insure any activity may be observed.

Upon adoption of the proposed decision an Interim Retail Permit (IRP) will be issued with the above-mentioned conditions. Any party wanting to appeal the decision has 40 days to do so to the ABC Appeals Board.

Source: California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
Related path: Chumas Casino & Resort