San Jose Proposal Would Limit Which Stores Can Sell Alcohol

SAN JOSE (KCBS) – San Jose city planners have proposed a plan that would put a limit on new liquor licenses.

While liquor licenses are controlled by the state, they are doled out by cities. In San Jose, officials are now considering only giving them to full-service markets, a victory for groups opposed to excessive booze sales.

San Jose is also trying to give high profit incentives to supermarkets to open new stores in neighborhoods without access to fresh produce.

KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:

San Jose City Councilman Pete Constant doesn't disagree with the goal, but said this is another example of "mommy government."

"We're treating our residents like they're children," Constant said. "They're not children, they're adults. They have the ability to go out and decide what they want to buy and where they want to buy it."

The ordinance, which comes up for a vote this fall, does not apply to existing liquor stores.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)