SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

Council Moves to Exempt Some Events From Public Drinking Ban

The City Council has given conceptual approval to a policy that would allow exemptions to a city ban on public drinking.

The exemptions would apply to special events and certain uses of city property, such as weddings.

A draft of the policy addressing when alcoholic drinks could be sold will now go the city’s Parks, Recreation and Equestrian Trails Commission for review and comment.

The council on Tuesday voted 3 to 0 to proceed. Councilwoman Carolyn Nash and Councilman Gary L. Hausdorfer were absent.

Since 1982, public drinking has been prohibited under the city’s municipal code.

But groups and organizers of special events have been granted city permission to sell and serve alcohol on occasion. City officials handled the requests on an individual basis.

Brandon and Shanna Andrea Under the proposed policy, the city would impose a standard set of rules when granting exemptions.

Applicants would have to receive an Alcoholic Beverage Control conditional license before the event. Applicants also would be limited to serving a customer no more than two drinks at a time.