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Council approves first reading to create downtown entertainment zone under SB 969
Summary
Council approved first reading by title of an ordinance to establish a downtown entertainment zone under Senate Bill 969, setting hours, proposed boundaries and a process for signage, enforcement and biannual review; staff said impacts on enforcement and signage are expected to be minimal.
The Redding City Council voted to approve the first reading by title of an ordinance to create a downtown "entertainment zone," allowing adults 21 and older to possess and consume open-container alcoholic beverages purchased from licensed participating businesses within marked boundaries.
Assistant City Manager Steve Bade told the council the proposal implements Senate Bill 969 and would set hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round and use a standardized, non-glass container marked by a vendor-issued sticker. Bade said staff consulted downtown business owners, property owners, and law enforcement while developing preliminary boundaries roughly aligned with the downtown specific plan.
Bade said staff expects the fiscal impact to be minimal, limited to signage, outreach and some enforcement coordination. He recommended the council proceed with a public hearing and adopt the ordinance for first reading and waive the full reading so staff can finalize logistics and continue outreach with RPD and the state ABC before a subsequent ordinance adoption.
After the hearing closed with no public commenters on the record, a council member moved to approve the first reading and waive full reading; the motion passed on a voice vote. Council directed staff to continue outreach with businesses, police and ABC and return with an implementation plan and signage details for future council review.
The ordinance will return for further consideration. The law (SB 969) requires local notice to law enforcement and a periodic review of public-safety and economic impacts; staff told the council it will submit a six-month report after implementation and a biannual review to ABC as required by state law.
