South Gate council denies SoFi request to sell beer and wine at South Gate Park

The South Gate City Council voted 5-0 on Feb. 25 to grant an appeal and overturn a Planning Commission approval that would have allowed on-site beer and wine sales at the SoFi (GOALS) soccer complex inside South Gate Park.

The decision came after a two-hour public hearing in which the Planning Department and the applicant described the proposal, opponents urged the council to preserve the park as alcohol-free, and SoFi representatives and several outside officials defended the company’s record and offered operational guarantees. Councilmembers cited community safety concerns and widespread resident opposition in announcing their votes.

Rodrigo Palleo, senior planner for the City of South Gate, told the council the Planning Commission had approved a resolution (Planning Commission Resolution No. 2024-07) recommending both an amendment to the city’s zoning code (South Gate Municipal Code, chapter 11.21, table 11.21-5) and approval of Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 24-15 for on-site alcohol sales at the soccer complex. Staff had concluded the proposed zoning change and CUP…