INDUSTRY - Proprietors hoping to open up a new bar or lounge in the City of Industry won’t be allowed to unless it is part of restaurant.

A change in zoning cracks down on stand-alone bars and cocktail lounges, which had previously been approved with an over-the-counter permit.

The City Council last week voted unanimously to approve the zone amendment.  The city wanted to tighten up on the bars due to reported code enforcement and police actions, according to staff. 

On Jan. 28, 2010, the council approved an urgency ordinance placing a moratorium on any new permit, license, approval, or entitlement related to bars, cocktail lounges or other establishments serving alcohol.  That urgency ordinance was then extended by 10 months and 15 days.  On Jan. 26, 2011, the council extended the moratorium again, according to a staff report.

The definitions also were unclear for bars and lounges under the municipal code, so that also needed clarification, according to staff.

“This has made it difficult to regulate bars and cocktail lounges and for staff to carefully evaluate each application, obtain review by the Sheriff’s Department, and impose conditions to ensure safe and appropriate operations,” wrote Senior Planner Brian James in the staff report.

Under the new zone change, the city will only allow bars as ancillary uses in full-service restaurants or bowling alleys and only with a conditional use permit.  Existing bars and lounges are grandfathered in, James said.