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City to 18 and older: Rack 'em
Voting-age teens now have access to city pool halls
By Sam Scott
Sunnyvale pool and billiard halls can now serve minors eighteen-years old and older on a permanent basis.
On May 16, City Council passed an ordinance effectively extending a six-month experiment that allows voting-age people under 21 into pool halls. Sunnyvale's prohibition of that age group in such establishments had been unique to the area.
"It seems arcane," said Councilman Manuel Valerio, "that we didn't have the opportunity for over 18-and under 21-year-olds to enjoy the game in our city."
Sunnyvale's two pool halls welcomed the move. "It's a long time coming," said Gabe Taylor, manager of Bank Shot, that adjoins the downtown post office. "It was ludicrous."
Jeannie Morris, Bank Shot's owner, began the process to change the city ordinance, complaining to city council and staff that the ordinance put her business at a disadvantage. She said Sunnyvale teens, including her own sons, were going elsewhere to play.
City council voted in December to change the law on a temporary basis. Finding no problems during the trial period or at similar establishments in other cities, Sunnyvale Public Safety Chief Ernie Bakin recommended making the change permanent.
"We found no impact as a result of the ordinance," Bakin said.
The study included officials looking at known criminal activity associated with the two Sunnyvale halls over the last three years. No significant activity was found. Alcohol Beverage Control records also showed no past problems. The city now requires that pool halls notify Public Safety before allowing minors.
Mike Bronco, owner of Lucky Shot on Murphy Ave., said he was pleased with the vote, though he had no immediate plans to allow a younger crowd. His hall is on the bar-laden 100 block of Murphy Avenue. "We are not trying for that traffic," he said. "We're pretty much in a 21 and over business district."
Bronco said he might reevaluate later and liked the option to change. "It's given us the opportunity to compete on evens terms as much as we want with Santa Clara and Mountain View."
Taylor said the temporary change has been good for business and thinks it will increase now that it is permanent. "We are getting some teenagers coming in," he said. "Business has gone up since the change."
Taylor said he saw the change as only a first step. He said he thinks pool halls should be able to serve players of any age.
"If a kid wants to play tennis, golf or pool, he should have the opportunity to advance in his endeavor," he said.
State law allows all ages in most establishments that serve only beer. Mountain View allows minors under 18 to enter pool halls when accompanied by a parent.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
