Commission backs changes to on‑sale alcohol CUP review schedule; annual report finds no referrals this period

The Hermosa Beach Planning Commission on March 18 received the report that reviews on‑sale alcoholic beverage conditional use permits (CUPs) for July 1–Dec. 31, 2024 and voted to change the review process to reduce staff workload while preserving the commission's authority to call hearings for urgent violations.

Johnny Case, assistant planner, presented the triannual report. He said the report compiles data from the Hermosa Beach Police Department, the city's code enforcement unit, Los Angeles County Fire and State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). For the reporting period the staff analysis found no establishment met the city's threshold for referral to a Planning Commission‑level CUP review; however, staff noted that Ramen and Sushi (1121 Aviation Boulevard) reached the threshold outside the reporting window and the commission revoked that establishment's CUP at a January hearing.

After discussion, staff proposed revisions to the review process. Planning staff recommended shifting from the current triannual review (which results in two hearing appearances per reporting cycle) to a single annual report timed after summer tourism season, eliminating the automatic second hearing when no CUPs are under referral, and removing certain data requests that do not materially inform enforcement decisions (staff specifically recommended reducing reliance on some fire calls that are protected or nondisclosable under privacy rules). Staff emphasized the change would not limit the commission's ability to call follow‑up hearings: the police chief or community development director could still request a hearing at any time if incident thresholds or public‑safety issues arise.

Commissioners discussed frequency and content. Several commissioners said they supported fewer routine hearings but asked that the record clearly show any dismissed or withdrawn incidents so operator reputations are not unduly harmed by an item that later proved unfounded. Commissioners also asked staff to maintain an accessible, up‑to‑date matrix of CUP conditions and operating hours so police and code enforcement can enforce conditions consistently.

The commission approved the staff recommendation with amendments to clarify that (1) overcrowding citations and life‑safety violations remain a trigger for immediate review; (2) the community development director, like the police chief, can request an interim hearing where warranted; and (3) staff will note in the annual submission any previously reported incidents that were subsequently dismissed.

Outcome: The commission voted to receive the triannual (informational) report and forwarded the proposed process changes (move to annual reporting, eliminate mandatory two‑step) to City Council with the commission's clarifying language. The motion carried (vote recorded in minutes).