Hearing on Liquor License Is Scheduled

A two-day hearing was scheduled to begin Wednesday to determine whether to approve the Chumash Casino Resort’s application for a liquor license.

It would give Santa Ynez Valley residents who protested the application one last chance to explain why they think the casino’s restaurant shouldn’t serve beer and wine.

The hearing before a civil law judge in Buellton will ultimately confirm or reverse a tentative approval for the license from the state department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

The yearlong process of approving the license has frustrated the Chumash tribe and brought a good deal of anti-casino sentiment from Santa Ynez Valley residents.

The liquor license, if approved, would be accompanied by a list of conditions regulating alcohol sales at the casino. The tribe has already agreed to the conditions.