Expanded Liquor Licenses OK'd by Planning Commission

The Fountain Valley Planning Commission approved two conditional use permits Wednesday night that will allow two local business to expand their alcohol sales.

had a dual request: upgrade its current liquor license to a full license allowing the restaurant to serve hard liquor, and have a live mariachi band during weekends. The major concern of the planning commission was the mariachi music with amplified guitar, since the restaurant’s back door is a mere 38 feet away from the back wall of residential areas.

“We’ve seen this happen before,” said fellow commissioner Carol Proctor about the full liquor license. “You should be looking at other sites. To me it is the wrong use of the site once you start adding hard liquor and music to the mix”.

In a narrow 3-2 vote, Mariscos Los Corales will be allowed to serve hard liquor, but will not have a mariachi band.

In a unanimous, vote the planning commission allowed the gas station at 10020 Warner Ave. to sell beer and wine.

In other business, the commission unanimously passed a variance to accommodate more restaurants and service shops in the shopping center at 16027-16205 Brookhurst St. The commission's major concern the was whether the area could accommodate the parking necessary for more restaurants and stores, especially during the SaiGon Performing Arts Center's seasonal shows, which can draw large crowds.

“Parking for the theater is mostly on weekends,” said Ryan Brian, a representative of US Millennium, which operates the center. “The rear area is blocked off and used only by security and people in the shows."

Theater parking is discouraged near the retail and restaurant areas. The time-limited parking spaces, on the other hand, are retail only.

“[The time limits are] not enforced,” Brian said. “They’re there more as a deterrent for store owners from parking in front of their own stores."