The City Council approved a one-year ban against drinking on the beach today, opening the door to a possible round-the-clock prohibition as early as January.
The one-year experiment, which could be reauthorized or made permanent upon its expiration, was supported by the council, 5-2.
Earlier, a permanent ban fell one vote shy of the minimum five votes needed for passage after a 4-3 vote. Councilman Ben Hueso was the deciding vote on the trial ban, as he supported the trial run after opposing the permanent ban.
The vote comes almost two months after Councilman Kevin Faulconer began pushing for prohibiting alcohol on the beach in the wake of a Labor Day melee in Pacific Beach in which 17 individuals were arrested.
Check back later for a full story on today’s decision.