New alcohol outlets might surprise early residents

An interesting aspect of Yorba Linda's new Town Center project will be increased opportunities to consume alcoholic beverages in the center's 15.6-acre commercial district – at a 1,100-seat theater complex, a gourmet market's outdoor dining area and more sit-down restaurants.

Of course, this community is several decades past its reputation as a bastion of temperance, when pioneer resident George Kellogg once held the lone post-Prohibition liquor license and, with widespread public support, sought to ensure alcohol wasn't available for sale in the town.

Eventually, Kellogg returned the license to a state official, since it couldn't be held to prevent the sale of liquor, according to Kellogg's 1972 oral history interview, which puts to rest the inaccurate but still-told tale that the license was controlled for several years by a local church.

Today's active license count stands at 23 off-sale (grocery, liquor stores) and 51 on-sale (restaurants, bars). Many of the proposed Town Center licenses will be for upscale enterprises, as noted by Dave Brantley in a recent report to the Planning Commission.

For example, City Council-selected developer Zelman Retail Partners is negotiating with Regal Entertainment to operate a 10-auditorium movie complex that will sell alcohol and provide “large, leather reclining chairs with foot rests that automatically adjust.”

Yorba Linda officials have examined a four-page list of 38 conditions governing the sale of alcohol in one of three Newport Beach theaters currently serving spirits.

Brantley noted: “Newport Beach has been successful in allowing this new phenomenon... while ensuring that a healthy environment for residents and businesses is preserved, particularly with respect to...issues associated with underage drinking within darkened movie auditoriums.”

A typical condition is “a limit of two glasses of wine or beer per screening” served in “special cups that distinguish alcoholic beverages from non-alcoholic,” with “special training” required for employees.

“Additionally, it is important to note that the price of alcoholic beverages when served in theaters” – $7 to $20 per 12-ounce beer or six- to eight-ounce cup of wine – “has the effect of limiting alcohol consumption in theaters,” Brantley stated.

“Police Services will be assisting with tailoring appropriate conditions of approval for the proposed Yorba Linda facility,” Brantley noted.

The developer also is in discussions with Bristol Farms, a specialty market that would sell alcohol for off-site consumption, have a small cafe serving beer and wine and hold wine tastings on a regular basis.

And two sit-down and some fast-casual restaurants are expected, so up to six additional liquor license approvals “as an accessory to food service would be satisfactory.” A finding of “public convenience and necessity” by the city might be required due to the large number of licenses proposed.