New rules for new alcohol vendors

The Costa Mesa City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to tighten restrictions on some alcohol vendors in an effort to reduce public drunkenness and nuisances.

From now on, alcoholic beverages must be sold in their manufactured packages.

Small bottles and cans may be sold only if they were packaged individually, and not separated from a set.

The new requirements will apply only to new stores looking to sell alcohol or existing stores that want to expand their size by 100 square feet or more.

Selling alcohol from a drive-through or a walk-up window will also no longer be allowed.

Under the new law, all liquor stores and convenience markets that sell alcohol must conduct their business in a safe manner to the public or they will be required to obtain a conditional-use permit, which is required by the city from any new stores that sell alcohol.

In other developments, the council voted unanimously to enter into an agreement with Southern California Edison.

The agreement will allow the use of the state Public Utilities Commission funds to support energy initiative projects and improve the energy efficiency of city equipment and buildings until to 2012.

This partnership will provide Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Westminster and Huntington Beach, which form the Orange County Energy Partnership, with $4 million to use toward energy-efficiency programs from the commission.