Sep 21, 2026 Planning Commission

[00:00:02]

I HEREBY CALL THE REGULAR MEETING OF

[ CALL TO ORDER]

THE NOTICE AGENDA AND INFORMATION ON THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY'S WEBSITE INFORM THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT THEY MAY SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENT ON A SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEM IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.

FIRST, BY EMAIL AT PLC PUB, COMMENT@NATIONALCITYCA.GOV NO LATER THAN FOUR HOURS BEFORE THE MEETING, SECOND VIA ZOOM BY PRE-REGISTERING ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE, NO LATER THAN FOUR HOURS BEFORE THE MEETING AT HTTPS SLASH SLASH WWW.NATIONALCITYCA.GOV/PUBLIC COMMENT.

THIRD, THE PUBLIC CAN COM.

MAY CAN PROVIDE COMMENTS IN PERSON AT THE MEETING.

ALL WRITTEN COMMENTS RECEIVED WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AS APPROPRIATE PRIOR TO THEIR, UH, RESPECTIVE MEETINGS AND PUBLISHED ON THE CITY WEBSITE.

IF RECEIVED BY THE DEADLINE, I REQUEST THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

SECRETARY, NOW PROCEED WITH ROLL CALL VICE CHAIR, CASTLE SALGADO, CASTLE SALGADO PRESENT.

COMMISSIONER MENT PRESENT, COMMISSIONER KIONE PRESENT, COMMISSIONER GOGI PRESENT, COMMISSIONER VALENZUELA HERE, CHAIR MILLER PRESENT.

BEFORE WE CONTINUE WITH TONIGHT'S PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT TONIGHT'S PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE ADJOURNED IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM J SENT, WHO RECENTLY PASSED AWAY.

MR. SENT BEGAN VOLUNTEERING ON CITY OF, UH, ON NATIONAL CITY'S CPRC BOARD IN 1990, AND EVENTUALLY WENT ON TO SERVE AS THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER FOR EIGHT YEARS.

HE STEPPED DOWN ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO FROM HIS PLANNING COMMISSION DUTIES.

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WE EXTEND OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ALL THOSE WHO HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF KNOWING HIM.

AFTER THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE REMAIN STANDING AS THE CHAMBER CHAMBER WILL OBSERVE A SILENCE IN HIS MEMORY.

I NOW REQUEST COMMISSIONER QUINONE TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

AGAIN, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.

I HAVE, UH, NO NAMES OF ANY COMMISSION MEMBER WHO WOULD BE ABSENT SINCE WE'RE ALL PRESENT TONIGHT.

UM, ITEM ONE ON THE AGENDA IS FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED ABSENCE OF MYSELF, CHAIR MILLER.

FROM THE AUGUST 3RD, 2026 MEETING, I DISCLOSED THAT I HAD NOTIFIED MADAM SECRETARY AND COUNSEL ON JULY 30TH OF MY ABSENCE FROM THE AUGUST 3RD MEETING DUE TO A MEDICAL ISSUE.

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO EXCUSE OR NOT EXCUSE.

UH, CHAIR MILLER.

UH, CHAIR MILLER'S ABSENCE.

PLEASE STATE WHICH YOU CHOOSE IN THE MOTION, EITHER EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED.

UH, COMMISSIONER VALENZUELA EXCUSED.

THANK YOU.

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO EXCUSE CHAIR MILLER'S ABSENCE? PLEASE STATE WHICH YOU CHOOSE IN THE MOTION, EITHER EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED.

I THINK THAT'S A DOUBLE THERE.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

OKAY.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER VALENZUELA AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GOGI TO EXCUSE CHAIR MILLER FROM THE AUGUST 3RD, 2026 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.

UH, THE COMMISSION WILL NOW VOTE ELECTRONICALLY ON THE MOTION.

MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE DECLARE THE RESULT OF THE VOTE.

MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU.

[00:05:01]

UM, VICE CHAIR CASTLE SALGADO.

FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE ADVISE THE COMMISSION MEMBERS AS TO WHY YOU WERE ABSENT FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF AUGUST 3RD.

IF THIS WAS DUE TO MEDICAL OR FAMILY REASONS, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM STATING ANYTHING OTHER THAN JUST MEDICAL OR FAMILY, FAMILY REASONS.

THANK YOU.

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO EXCUSE OR NOT EXCUSE VICE CHAIR CASTLE SALGADO.

PLEASE STATE WHICH YOU CHOOSE IN THE MOTION, EITHER EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED.

EXCUSED.

THANK YOU.

MY, MY, UM, DOESN'T WANNA WORK.

OKAY.

UM, WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER VALENZUELA AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GOGI TO EXCUSE VICE CHAIR CASSEL SALGADO FROM THE AUGUST 3RD, 2026 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.

THE COMMISSION WILL NOW VOTE ELECTRONICALLY ON THE MOTION.

ADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE DECLARE THE RESULT OF THE VOTE.

MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU.

ITEM THREE IS FOR THE APPROVED OR, UH, IF FOR THE APPROVAL OF EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER VALENZUELA FROM THE AUGUST 3RD, 2026 MEETING.

COMMISSIONER VALENZUELA FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE ADVISE THE COMMISSION MEMBERS AS TO WHY YOU WERE ABSENT AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF AUGUST 3RD, 9 20 26.

UH, IF IT WAS DUE TO MEDICAL OR FAMILY REASONS, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM STATING ANYTHING OTHER THAN MEDICAL OR FAMILY MEDICAL.

THANK YOU.

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO EXCUSE OR NOT EXCUSE? COMMISSIONER VALENZUELA.

AND YOUR MOTION, PLEASE STATE WHETHER IT IS EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED.

UM, COMMISSIONER GOGI EXCUSED.

THANK YOU.

UH, WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GOGI AND A SECOND BY COM.

UH, VICE CHAIR CASTLE SALGADO TO EXCUSE, UH, COMMISSIONER VALENZUELA FROM THE AUGUST 3RD, 2026 MEETING.

THE COMMISSION WILL NOW VOTE ELECTRONICALLY ON THE MOTION.

MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE DECLARE THE RESULTS OF THE VOTE.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU.

WE WILL NOW HEAR PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS OR MATTERS THAT ARE NOT ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.

CHAIR MILLER? UH, WE STILL NEED A YES.

ITEM FOUR.

HE DOESN'T HAVE IT ON THERE.

NO, I'M SORRY.

IT'S OKAY.

YES.

OKAY.

UM, ITEM FOUR FOR THE RECORD.

COMMISSIONER QUINONES WAS EXCUSED FROM THE AUGUST 3RD, 2026 MEETING BY STAFF DUE TO A LACK OF QUORUM.

WITH THAT SAID, WE WILL NOT HAVE A VOTE ON THE ITEM AS AS IT WAS ALREADY APPROVED.

WE GOTTA GET THAT ON THE RECORD.

OKAY.

WE WILL NOW HEAR PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS OR MATTERS THAT ARE NOT ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA UNDER STATE LAW, WE CANNOT RESPOND TO PUBLIC COMMENTS AND ITEMS REQUIRING PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION.

THESE ITEMS MUST BE BROUGHT BACK ON A SUBSEQUENT AGENDA UNLESS THEY'RE OF A DEMONSTRATED EMERGENCY OR URGENT NATURE.

MADAM SECRETARY, ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS THAT ARE NOT ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA? NO CHAIR.

THANK YOU.

WE WILL NOW BEGIN CONSIDERATION OF THE ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA.

ITEM

[5. Approval of the Agenda for the Meeting on September 21, 2026]

THAT IS THIS MEETING THAT WE'RE HOLDING RIGHT NOW.

IF THERE IS NO DISCUSSION ON THE PLANNING FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSIONERS, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING? WE HAVE A MOTION BY VICE CHAIR CASTLE AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER VALENZUELA TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

WE WILL NOW VOTE ELECTRONICALLY.

UH, MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL THE VOTE.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU.

ITEM SIX ON

[6. Approval of Minutes from the Meeting of July 20, 2026 ]

IF THERE IS NO DISCUSSION, DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE HAVE A MOTION BY VICE CHAIR CASTLE AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ARMINTA TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.

UH, WE WILL NOW VOTE ELECTRONICALLY.

MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL THE VOTE.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU.

ITEM

[7. Approval of Minutes from the Meeting of August 3, 2026]

[00:10:01]

IF THERE IS NO DISCUSSION, I WILL UH, DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ARMA AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GOGI TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.

WE WILL NOW VOTE ELECTRONICALLY.

WE MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE DECLARE THE VOTE.

MOTION CARRIED FOR YESES AND TO ABSTAIN.

THANK YOU.

OKAY, NOW WE WILL MOVE ON TO PUBLIC

[8. Determination that the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Class 1 of the CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Conditional Use Permit for the Sale of Beer, Wine, and Distilled Spirits (ABC Type-21) at an Existing Convenience Store (Party Time Market) Located at 2945 Highland Avenue. Case File No.: 2026-06 CUP APN: 563-121-27-00. ]

UM, ITEM EIGHT, DETERMINATION THAT THE PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.

CQA UNDER CLASS ONE OF THE CQA GUIDELINES, SECTION 1 53 0 1, EXISTING FACILITIES AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE SALE OF BEER, WINE AND DISTILLED SPIRITS, A BC TYPE 21 AT AN EXISTING CONVENIENCE STORE, PARTY TIME MARKET LOCATED AT 20 29 45 HIGHLAND AVENUE.

BEFORE WE BEGIN, DO ANY OF THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE ANY DISCLOSURES RELATING TO THIS HEARING? THIS IS EACH PLANNING COMMISSIONER'S OPPORTUNITY TO DISCLOSE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST PARTY, UH, PROPERTY INSPECTIONS, EX PARTE CONTACTS OR COMMUNICATIONS, ET CETERA.

COMMISSIONER GOGI, I WENT BY THE PROPERTY APPROXIMATELY A WEEK OR SO AGO AND TALKED TO THE OWNERS AND SAW THE OUTLAY.

THANK YOU.

COMM, UH, VICE CHAIR CASTLE.

I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA AS WELL AS THE PROPERTY AND THE MARKET.

I'VE BEEN THERE.

I'VE SHOPPED THERE.

OKAY.

COMMISSIONER MENTA.

UM, I'M ALSO FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA AND I DID STOP BY THERE YESTERDAY.

UH, SPOKE WITH A COUPLE OF EMPLOYEES AND, UM, I DO WANNA DISCLOSE, I HAVE A DAUGHTER THAT GOES TO SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL.

THANK YOU.

UH, I DRIVE BY THAT PROPERTY ALMOST EVERY DAY.

I WATCHED IT WHEN IT WAS UNDER RECONSTRUCTION, SO I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROPERTY AS WELL.

UH, MADAM SECRETARY HAVE THE NOTICES AS AS REQUIRED BY LO AND GIVEN.

AND DO WE HAVE A COMPLETE FILE OF EXHIBITS, CORRESPONDENCE, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS? YES, CHAIR.

THANK YOU.

WILL STAFF PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND SUMMARIZE THE ITEM FOR US.

GOOD EVENING CHAIR COMMISSIONERS, THE PUBLIC.

MY NAME IS SOPHIA DEPUY.

I'M THE ASSOCIATE PLANNER.

TONIGHT I'LL BE PRESENTING ITEM EIGHT, WHICH IS A PUBLIC HEARING FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE SALE OF BEER, WINE, AND DISTILLED SPIRITS AT AN EXISTING CONVENIENCE STORE.

PARTY TIME MARKET, LOCATED AT 29 45 HIGHLAND AVENUE.

HERE IS AN OVERVIEW OF THE SITE.

SO IT IS LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF HIGHLAND AVENUE AND EAST 30TH STREET.

UM, AS MENTIONED, SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL IS LOCATED ACROSS HIGHLAND AVENUE, AND THEN THERE'S SOME COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND RESIDENCES NEARBY.

SO A PARTY TIME MARKET IS AN EXISTING GAS STATION CONVENIENCE STORE.

THE CONVENIENCE STORE EXPANSION WAS APPROVED WITH A CUP IN 2014.

THE SITE IS LOCATED IN OUR MAJOR MIXED USE CORRIDOR ZONE.

THE LAW IS AT APPROXIMATELY 22,000 SQUARE FEET, AND IT INCLUDES FUEL PUMPS, A CANOPY PARKING, AND AN EXISTING 4,700 SQUARE FOOT COMMERCIAL BUILDING.

THE MARKET CURRENTLY OCCUPIES AROUND 1600 SQUARE FEET OF THE EXISTING BUILDING WHILE THE REMAINING 3000 SQUARE FEET IS VACANT.

SO, AS I MENTIONED, THIS PROPERTY IS IN A MIXED USE AREA.

IT'S SURROUNDED BY COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL, AND INSTITUTIONAL USES.

THE PROPERTY IS DIRECTLY ABUTTING.

THE CONVENIENCE STORE ARE RESIDENCES AND COMMERCIAL SUITES.

AND SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL IS LOCATED RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET.

BECAUSE OF THE PROXIMITY OF SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL, ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WILL BE LOCATED WITHIN A SECURE AREA OF THE STORE THAT IS NOT FREELY ACCESSIBLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

ALCOHOL WILL BE SECURED THROUGH A TURNSTILE CROSSBAR SYSTEM AND WILL BE RESTRICTED TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN VERIFIED BY STAFF TO BE 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.

STAFF IS ALSO GOING TO BE TRAINED IN RESPONSIBLE BEVERAGE SERVICE PRACTICES, INCLUDING AGE VERIFICATION AND REFUSAL PROTOCOLS CONSISTENT WITH A B, C REQUIREMENTS.

ADDITIONALLY, CUSTOMERS ARE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE ALCOHOL AT THE REGISTER LOCATED WITHIN THE ALCOHOL SECURED AREA BEFORE RETURNING TO THE CONVENIENCE STORE.

SO HERE IS A VIEW OF THE MARKET FROM HIGHLAND AVENUE, WHICH FACES TOWARDS SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL, AND THEN HERE IS A VIEW FROM EAST 30TH STREET, UM, WHICH IS WHERE THEY'LL BE EXPANDING INTO THAT SECTION,

[00:15:01]

SO THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO SELL BEER, WINE, AND DISTILLED SPIRITS FROM 6:00 AM TO 2:00 AM DAILY.

STAFF HAS RECOMMENDED MODIFIED HOURS FROM 8:30 AM TO 12:00 AM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, AND 8:00 AM TO 12:00 AM SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

ADDITIONALLY, THE APPLICANT HAS PROPOSED TO EXPAND THE EXISTING CONVENIENCE STORE INTO THE TWO NEIGHBORING SUITES TO OCCUPY THE ENTIRE COMMERCIAL BUILDING ON SITE, WHICH WOULD INCREASE THE CONVENIENCE STORE FROM ABOUT 1600 SQUARE FEET TO 4,700 SQUARE FEET.

THIS EXPANSION WILL INCLUDE ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR THE CONVENIENCE STORE, A HOT FOOD AREA, AND A SECURE AREA DEDICATED TO ALCOHOL.

APPROXIMATELY 1500 SQUARE FEET, OR ABOUT 40% OF THE TOTAL MARKET FLOOR AREA WILL BE DEDICATED TO ALCOHOL.

HOWEVER, ALCOHOL SALES WILL BE ACCESSORY TO THE CONVENIENCE STORE USE TO REMAIN ACCESSORY.

THE QUARTERLY GROSS SALES OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FOR THE CONVENIENCE STORE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GROSS SALES OF ALL OTHER COMMODITIES DURING THE SAME PERIOD, EXCLUDING GASOLINE.

AND THE APPLICANT ESTIMATES THAT ALCOHOL SALES WILL COMPRISE ONLY ABOUT 19% OF THE STORE'S REVENUE BASED ON SIMILAR CONVENIENCE STORES OPERATED BY THE APPLICANT.

SO HERE IS THE FLOOR PLAN.

THE AREA HIGHLIGHTED IN BLUE IS THE AREA DEDICATED TO YOUR NORMAL CONVENIENCE STORE, UH, COMMODITIES.

AND THEN THE AREA HIGHLIGHTED IN RED IS THE ALCOHOL DEDICATED AREA.

UH, LET'S SEE IF I CAN USE THE POINTER.

THIS IS WHERE THE TURNSTILE SYSTEM WILL BE.

SO THIS IS WHAT SEPARATES THE CONVENIENCE STORE PORTION TO THE ALCOHOL PORTION.

AND THEN THIS IS THE REGISTER WHERE INDIVIDUALS WERE WILL PURCHASE THEIR ALCOHOL.

AND THEN THAT AREA HIGHLIGHTED IN BLUE IS THE AREA THAT FACES SWEETWATER AND THE AREA HIGHLIGHTED IN RED FACES TOWARDS EAST 30TH STREET.

MOVING ON TO SAFS ANALYSIS, UH, THE CODE ALLOWS FOR ALCOHOL SALES FOR OFFSITE CONSUMPTION WITH AN APPROVED CUP.

THERE ARE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALCOHOL, CS INCLUDING EXTENDED MAILING TO ALL OWNERS AND OCCUPANTS WITHIN 660 FEET OF THE SITE.

WE SENT 178 NOTICES.

THE BUSINESS IS ALSO REQUIRED TO HOLD A COMMUNITY MEETING, WHICH WAS HELD ON JANUARY 15TH, 2026, AND THERE WERE NO ATTENDEES.

THIS BUSINESS IS LOCATED IN CENSUS TRACT ONE 16.02.

THERE ARE THREE OFF SALE LICENSES WHERE TWO ARE RECOMMENDED.

SO THE CENSUS TRACT IS CONSIDERED OVER CONCENTRATED.

THERE'S ALSO ADDITIONAL DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS.

UM, HOWEVER, THEY'RE NOT APPLICABLE FOR CONVENIENCE STORES INVOLVING THE SALE OF ALCOHOL FOR OFFSET CONSUMPTION AS AN ACCESSORY USE.

SO A BUSINESS WHERE THE PRINCIPAL USE INVOLVES THE SALE OF ALCOHOL FOR OFFSET CONSUMPTION WOULD NOT BE PERMITTED AT THIS LOCATION BECAUSE IT IS WITHIN 660 FEET OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL, SO THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO OPERATE A LIQUOR STORE.

UM, ADDITIONALLY, THIS BUSINESS WILL HAVE TO ADHERE TO CITY COUNCIL POLICY 7 0 7, AND WE'VE INCLUDED THIS IN OUR STANDARD CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL.

SO THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO SELL BEER, WINE, AND DISTILLED SPIRITS FROM 6:00 AM TO 2:00 AM DAILY.

STAFF IS RECOMMENDED.

8:30 AM TO 12:00 AM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, AND 8:00 AM TO 12:00 AM SATURDAY AND SUNDAY STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS BASED OFF PREVIOUS APPROVALS AND IPS COMMENTS.

CIRCLE K.

ANOTHER CONVENIENCE STORE WAS APPROVED IN 2018 FOR BEER AND WINE SALES FROM 8:00 AM TO 12:00 AM DAILY, AND SEVEN 11 WAS APPROVED IN 2020 FOR BEER, WINE, AND DISTILLED SPIRITS FROM 6:00 AM TO 12:00 AM DAILY.

HOWEVER, THIS PROJECT WAS NEVER EXERCISED.

WE ALSO RECEIVED A COMMENT FROM IPS, WHICH RECOMMENDED REDUCED ALCOHOL AVAILABILITY DURING THE TIME THAT STUDENTS TRAVEL TO SCHOOL.

UH, INSTRUCTION BEGINS AT EIGHT 3:00 AM FOR SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL, AND SO STAFF HAS RECOMMENDED ALCOHOL SALES BEGIN NO EARLIER THAN 8:30 AM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY TO ACCOMMODATE.

WE RECEIVED COMMENTS FROM OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THEY PROVIDED A RISK ASSESSMENT AND GAVE THE BUSINESS 12 POINTS.

12 POINTS OR LESS IS CONSIDERED LOW RISK.

WE ALSO RECEIVED COMMENTS FROM THE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC STRATEGIES.

UH, THEIR COMMENTS INCLUDED PROHIBITING ALCOHOL ADVERTISING MATERIALS VISIBLE FROM SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL.

UM, THEY REQUESTED THAT ALCOHOL DISPLAYS BE LOCATED AWAY FROM ENTRANCES AND EXITS REQUIRING SIGNAGE RELATED TO PURCHASING ALCOHOL, AND THAT THE BUSINESS PROVIDE ADEQUATE OUTDOOR LIGHTING DURING ALL OPERATING HOURS AND KEEP THE PREMISES FREE OF LETTER AND DEBRIS, AND THEN ADDITIONALLY LIMIT THE TIME THAT ALCOHOL IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.

ALL OF THESE COMMENTS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED AS CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL.

SO FOR THIS ITEM, WE INCLUDED OUR STANDARD CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL AS WELL AS CONDITIONS SPECIFIC TO OFFSITE ALCOHOL SALES PER CITY COUNCIL POLICY 7 0 7, WHICH INCLUDES HOURS OF OPERATION, RESPONSIBLE BEVERAGE TRAINING, AND REQUIRING THE ALCOHOL SALES REMAIN ACCESSORY TO THE CONVENIENCE STORE.

WE ALSO INCLUDED APPLICATION

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IN SUMMARY, THE PROPOSED USE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN.

ALCOHOL SALES FOR OFFSITE CONSUMPTION IS A CONDITIONALLY ALLOWED USE IN OUR MX C TWO ZONE ALCOHOL SALES WOULD BE ACCESSORY TO THE CONVENIENCE STORE IN AN ESTABLISHED MIXED USE AREA.

WE'VE INCLUDED CONDITIONS CONSISTENT WITH CITY COUNCIL POLICY 7 0 7, WHICH ARE INTENDED TO ALLEVIATE CONCERNS RELATED TO IMPACTS ON THE AREA.

AND WE ALSO INCLUDED ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS ADDRESSING CONCERNS RELATED TO LIGHTING, SIGNAGE, LITTER, AND THE LOCATION OF ALCOHOL.

THE OPTIONS TONIGHT ARE FIND THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM QUA AND APPROVE 2026 SLASH OH SIX CUP BASED ON THE, THE FINDINGS LISTED IN THE DRAFT RESOLUTION OR DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION, OR FIND THE PROJECT NOT EXEMPT AND DENY THE PROJECT OR CONTINUE THE ITEM FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL IF APPROVED.

IT WILL GO AS A NOTICE OF DECISION TO CITY COUNCIL.

THAT CONCLUDES STAFF'S PRESENTATION IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, PLANNER DEPUY.

I INVITE THE APPLICANT OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVE TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND ADDRESS THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO GIVE THEIR 15 MINUTE PRESENTATION.

WHAT IS YOUR NAME, SIR? GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS JEREMY OGLE AND IT'S MY PLEASURE AND HONOR TO BE HERE ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED, WENDY COVE INCORPORATED AND OUR BUSINESS HERE IN NATIONAL CITY, WENDY COVE MARKET AND DEHI.

I HAVE WITH ME HERE, MR. JOSEPH BRICO.

HE'S HERE TO MY LEFT AND ALSO IN THE AUDIENCE, MR. EDDIE BRICO.

FOR NEARLY 60 YEARS, THE BRICO FAMILY HAS BEEN OPERATING SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE SAN DIEGO REGION, STARTING WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD GROCERY STORE IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO, AND OVER TIME SHIFTING INTO GAS STATIONS AND CONVENIENCE STORES LIKE THIS ONE AT 30TH AND HIGHLAND.

THE BRICO FAMILY HAS DEEP PERSONAL CONNECTIONS TO NATIONAL CITY, HAVING OPERATED BUSINESSES HERE FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, INVESTING TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN MODERNIZING AND IMPROVING THEIR PROPERTIES IN NATIONAL CITY.

THEY'RE NOT ABSENTEE LANDLORDS.

THEY'RE HANDS ON ONSITE.

DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

YOU WILL SEE EITHER EDDIE OR JOEY OR BOTH OF THEM PHYSICALLY PRESENT AND WORKING AT THIS GAS STATION AT 30TH AND HIGHLAND.

SO WE'RE EXCITED TO SHARE WITH YOU THE NEXT PHASE OF OUR TRANSFORMATION AND ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN MOVING THIS FORWARD.

OUR REQUEST TONIGHT IS THAT YOU VOTE TO ACCEPT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WITH ONE MODIFICATION TO ALLOW SALES TO BEGIN AT 6:00 AM INSTEAD OF THE PROPOSED 8:30 AM.

WE BELIEVE THAT THAT RESTRICTION IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH CITY COUNCIL POLICY, NOR IS IT JUSTIFIED BY EVIDENCE IN THE RECORD.

SO WE RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN MAINTAINING THE HOURS AS ORIGINALLY REQUESTED.

ALTHOUGH WE ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT THE 12TH, UH, MIDNIGHT, UM, SHORTENING.

I'LL DISCUSS THAT FURTHER INTO THE PRESENTATION A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THE HISTORY OF THIS PROPERTY.

THE GAS STATION HAS BEEN OPERATING OUT THE CORNER FOR MORE THAN 65 YEARS.

YOU CAN SEE WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE IN THIS PHOTO FROM 1976.

THIS ACTUALLY CAME FROM THE SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK.

REALLY COOL CIRCULAR CANOPIES ABOVE THE GAS PUMPS THERE.

THE BRICO FAMILY PURCHASED THE PROPERTY IN 2005 AND CONTINUED TO OPERATE OUT OF THAT SAME OUTDATED BUILDING FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.

AS YOU CAN TELL, THESE ARE OLD PHOTOS WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE GAS PRICES.

, WE DID NOT KNOW HOW GOOD WE HAD IT UH, IN 2020, UH, WE COMPLETED THAT FULL RENOVATION AND REBUILD BROUGHT THE BUILDING TO ITS CURRENT SIZE.

UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO ATTRACT THE RETAIL TENANTS THAT WE WERE HOPING TO BRING INTO THOSE, UH, INTO THOSE NEW SUITES.

UM, AND SO MUCH OF THE SPACE HAS SAT VACANT SINCE THEN.

HERE'S ANOTHER VIEW FROM 2021, WHICH WAS THE YEAR THAT WE BROUGHT IN E 85 FLEX FUEL, AND WE'RE PROUD TO BE THE FIRST GAS STATION IN NATIONAL CITY TO OFFER THAT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY OPTION.

OUR TEAM, OF COURSE, IS MUCH BIGGER THAN JUST THE BRI RICO FAMILY.

WE HAVE A, A TEAM OF SEVEN OR EIGHT EMPLOYEES, UNLIKE MANY OTHER GAS STATIONS OR RETAIL BUSINESSES.

OUR EMPLOYEES WORK FULL TIME.

MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN WITH US FOR YEARS.

IN THE BLUE SHIRT HERE, WE HAVE OUR CASHIER, LILIANA, WHO HAS WORKED WITH US FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS, AND THAT'S NOT UNCOMMON.

WE HAVE OTHERS WHO HAVE WORKED WITH US FOR SEVEN YEARS, EIGHT YEARS, 10 YEARS.

AND AS A RESULT OF THAT, THEY HAVE VERY CLOSE CONNECTIONS, UH, WITH THE CUSTOMERS.

THESE EMPLOYEES LIVE HERE.

THEY SHOP HERE, THEY GO TO THE GYM HERE.

UM, LILIANA'S DAUGHTER WENT TO SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL, SO THEY KNOW THE CUSTOMERS BY NAME.

AND THOSE RELATIONSHIPS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO US, AND THEY'RE REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT.

THE RICO FAMILY HAS ALWAYS PRIORITIZED GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

THEY BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY IN BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR, AND THEY HAVE PARTICULARLY STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ATHLETIC PROGRAMS AT SWEETWATER HIGH.

THE PHOTO ON THE RIGHT IS FROM 2016 WHEN WE SPONSORED NEW UNIFORMS FOR THE BASKETBALL TEAM.

BRI RICOS ARE ON A FIRST NAME BASIS WITH COACH JESSE.

THEY TAKE ANY OPPORTUNITY THEY CAN GET TO SPONSOR GOLF

[00:25:01]

THAT COMMITMENT GOES BEYOND THE HIGH SCHOOL SUPPORTING ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS, AS WELL AS MILITARY VETERANS THROUGH HOLIDAY GIVEAWAYS, DONATIONS TO VETERANS GROUPS.

WE RECOGNIZE HOW IMPORTANT MILITARY FAMILIES ARE TO OUR COMMUNITY HERE AND HOW DIFFICULT THAT KIND OF SERVICE CAN BE.

SO WE DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO SUPPORT THEM.

AND THEN JUST A COUPLE PHOTOS HERE FROM OUR MOST RECENT HOLIDAY HAM GIVEAWAY LAST YEAR WITH THE NATIONAL CITY FAMILIES.

WE DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS EVERY YEAR, OVER TIME, BENEFITING HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES IN NEED.

SO AS A RESULT OF THESE STRONG RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE'VE BUILT, IT MADE IT A LOT EASIER FOR US TO DO THE OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT THAT WE FELT WAS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT WE WERE ON THE RIGHT, UH, TRACK WITH THIS PROJECT.

IN ADDITION TO THE REQUIRED MAILING TO NEIGHBORS, WE HAD MULTIPLE MEETINGS WITH THE NATIONAL CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING AN ONSITE TOUR AND BRIEFING FOR THE POLICE CHIEF.

WE DID THE SAME WITH THE SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION, BOTH WITH THE PREVIOUS PRINCIPAL AND THE CURRENT PRINCIPAL.

WE MET WITH THE CEO OF OPS A HEALTH, WHICH OPERATES A HEALTH CLINIC JUST UP THE STREET FROM US.

AND WE DID A PRESENTATION IN Q AND A WITH THE BOARD OF THE UNITED LOW RIDER COALITION, WHICH WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO US, UH, KNOWING HOW CONNECTED THEY ARE WITH THE YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AS TO THE DESIGN OF THE PROJECT ITSELF, OBVIOUSLY THE CUP APPLICATION TONIGHT ADDRESSES THE SALE OF BEER, WINE, AND SPIRITS, BUT THAT IS JUST ONE COMPONENT OF A MUCH LARGER VISION THAT WE HAVE FOR THIS BUSINESS.

OUR GOAL HERE IS TO CREATE A ONE-STOP SHOP WHERE PEOPLE CAN, UH, PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COMMUNITY CAN GET GAS, PICK UP THEIR COFFEE, GRAB A FRESH MADE SANDWICH FOR LUNCH OR DINNER, AND IF THEY'RE OF AGE, BRING HOME A NICE BOTTLE OF WINE OR SOME CRAFT BEER.

OUR VISION IS FOR A GOURMET MARKET THAT SELLS MORE THAN JUST CHIPS AND CANDY, REALLY FRESH, HIGH QUALITY FOODS AND BEVERAGES.

NOW, IF YOU'VE BEEN INSIDE THE CONVENIENCE STORE AS IT IS TODAY, YOU'VE ONLY SEEN A SMALL PORTION OF THE FULL SPACE.

UM, AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THIS SLIDE, YOU SEE A RED ARROW THAT'S POINTING TO THE DOORS WHERE YOU ENTER THE CONVENIENCE STORE TODAY.

AND ON THIS MAP, YOU'LL ALSO SEE A BRIGHT RED LINE THAT IS WHERE A DEMISING WALL CURRENTLY SITS BEHIND THE REGISTERS.

IF YOU WERE, IF YOU WERE IN THERE TODAY, EVERYTHING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT WALL IS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC RIGHT SIDE OF THAT RED LINE.

WITH THIS PROJECT, WE WILL TEAR DOWN THE WALL, RECONFIGURE THE CHECK STAND AREA, AND EXPAND THE CONVENIENCE STORE ALL THE WAY ACROSS.

UH, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU SEE IN THE BLUE.

IN RED, WE HAVE THE HOT FOOD SERVICE AREA, WHICH I'LL DISCUSS IN A SECOND.

AND THEN IN YELLOW, YOU SEE THE ACCESS RESTRICTED SECTION OF THE STORE WHERE CUSTOMERS CAN PURCHASE BEER, WINE, AND SPIRITS.

SO AS YOU WALK IN THOSE DOORS THAT YOU WALK THROUGH TODAY, THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL SEE ONCE THE PROJECT IS COMPLETE.

THIS IS THE GENERAL ALL AGES SECTION OF THE MARKET.

TO YOUR LEFT, YOU HAVE SODA, WATER, ENERGY, DRINKS, COFFEE, PASTRIES, SNACKS, ET CETERA, TO YOUR RIGHT.

AS YOU ENTER, YOU CAN SEE THE DELI AREA, UH, IN THE BACK.

RIGHT AND IN THE BACK CORNER TO THE LEFT, YOU CAN SEE THE ACCESS CONTROLLED BEER, WINE, AND SPIRIT SECTION.

THE DELI CONCEPT THAT WE'RE BRINGING IN IS CALLED FAT BOYS DELI.

THEY MAKE THE BEST DELI SANDWICHES IN NORTH PARK.

THEY HAVE ANOTHER LOCATION IN LAKESIDE.

UM, IT MAY LOOK LIKE A SMALL SECTION OF THE STORE, BUT WE'RE ACTUALLY EXPECTING THIS TO BE ONE OF THE, UH, BIGGEST REVENUE GENERATORS, UM, IN THE EXPANDED BUSINESS.

THESE SANDWICHES ARE MADE TO ORDER ALL FRESH INGREDIENTS.

THEY ALSO HAVE HOT CHILI SALADS AND OTHER FRESH FOODS TO BRING NEW, HEALTHIER OPTIONS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO THAT'S IN THAT DELI SPACE THERE.

AND THEN AS YOU TURN LEFT FROM THAT DELI SECTION, UH, YOU'LL SEE HOW WE'VE SET UP THESE TURNSTILE CROSSBARS TO CONTROL ACCESS.

THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED INNOVATIVE DESIGN, UH, FOR THIS TYPE OF MARKET.

WE, WE WANTED SOMETHING THAT WOULD COMPLETELY ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF SHOPLIFTING OR OTHER ACCESS TO ALCOHOL FOR ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21, WHILE ALSO PROVIDING A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS WHO ARE OVER THE AGE OF 21.

UH, ONCE YOU WALK INTO THAT SECTION AND TURN AROUND FACING THE FRONT OF THE STORE AGAIN, UH, YOU'LL HAVE A CHECK STAND TO YOUR RIGHT WHERE YOU, AGAIN, WILL HAVE TO SHOW ID AND THEN PAY FOR ANY ALCOHOLIC ITEMS BEFORE ENTER, UH, BEFORE EXITING THAT SECTION OF THE MARKET.

HERE'S ALSO HOW IT LOOKS FROM THE CASHIER'S PERSPECTIVE.

THEY HAVE CONTROL OVER THOSE TURNSTILES WITH A SWITCH AT THE COUNTER SO THEY CAN SHUT THEM OFF AND PREVENT PEOPLE FROM ENTERING OR EXITING AT ANY TIME.

NOW, IN CONTRAST, IN THE NEXT COUPLE SLIDES, I'M GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AT SOME NEARBY BUSINESSES THAT SELL ALCOHOL.

AND THE REASON I'M DOING THIS IS NOT TO CRITICIZE THOSE BUSINESSES OR TO SAY THAT THEY'RE DOING ANYTHING WRONG.

I JUST THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE, UM, THE CONTEXT OF WHAT ALREADY EXISTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THIS IS THE SEVEN 11 AT THE OTHER END OF THE BLOCK, JUST DOWN THE STREET FROM THE SCHOOL.

AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PHOTO ON THE RIGHT BOTTLES OF WINE ARE KEPT, UH, RIGHT NEXT TO SNACKS, COOKIES, AND ON THE LEFT YOU SEE THAT THEY SELL SINGLE UNITS OF BEER, BUZZ BALLS, ET CETERA.

UNDER RCUP, WE, WE WILL NOT BE SELLING SINGLE UNITS OF ANY OF THESE ITEMS. UH, THIS SEVEN 11 STARTS SELLING ALCOHOL

[00:30:01]

AND THESE PRODUCTS ARE IN A SECTION OF THE STORE THAT IS NOT DIRECTLY VISIBLE FROM THE CHECK STAND.

SO THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NOTHING THAT STOPS A TEENAGER FROM WALKING RIGHT UP TO THIS DISPLAY AND POCKETING A WHITE CLAW OR A BUZZ BALL.

UM, ACROSS THE STREET FROM US TO THE SOUTH IS EL SUPER.

AND AGAIN, YOU SEE THE WAY THAT WINE BOTTLES ARE STORED IN THE OPEN THEIR BEER FRIDGE.

AND THE, UH, PHOTO TO THE RIGHT IS JUST BEYOND THE CANDY SECTION.

UH, THIS IS CATTYCORNER AGAIN FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL AND JUST LIKE SEVEN 11, ANYONE OF ANY AGE CAN WALK UP, UH, IN POCKET ANY OF THESE ITEMS. FINALLY, THIS IS THE CIRCLE K THAT WAS REFERENCED IN THE STAFF REPORT.

IT'S NOT ANYWHERE NEAR US.

IT'S UP NEAR HARBOR DRIVE IN THE CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, UH, EXIT.

BUT, UH, CITY STAFF CITED THIS AS A POINT OF COMPARISON ON THE 8:30 AM START TIME.

BUT UNLIKE US, UH, BEER AND WINE AGAIN HERE IS FULLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, RIGHT NEXT TO THE COFFEE, RIGHT NEXT TO THE SNACKS.

AND, UH, WE'VE, WE DON'T THINK THAT IT MAKES SENSE TO COMPARE OUR PROJECT TO, UH, A STORE THAT'S DESIGNED LIKE THIS.

UM, BECAUSE OUR DESIGN IS IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, UH, COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LEAGUE.

SO AGAIN, BY CONTRAST WITH OUR DESIGN, IT'S LIKE GOING THROUGH SECURITY.

MINERS WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ALCOHOL AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY, WHETHER IT'S 7:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 9:00 PM THIS DESIGN GUARANTEES THAT OUR COMPLETE, THAT WE HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL OVER WHO HAS ACCESS BY MINUTES TO, WHO HAS ACCESS TO THE ALCOHOL IN OUR MARKET.

AND IT PUT, IT PUTS THE EYES OF OUR CASHIERS ON THE PRODUCT AT ALL TIMES.

QUITE FRANKLY, WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS GOING TO BECOME A MODEL FOR THE FUTURE OF CONVENIENCE STORES AND MARKETS WHERE YOU HAVE A MIXED CONSUMER BASE OF VARYING AGES.

UH, AND IT'S FOR THIS REASON THAT WE FEEL THAT THE LATER START TIME IS NOT JUSTIFIED.

NOT ONLY ARE WE EXCITED ABOUT BRINGING NEW OPTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY, WE'RE ALSO EXCITED ABOUT THE POSITIVE IMPACT WE'LL HAVE ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

OUR CURRENT GROSS RECEIPTS, WHICH INCLUDES GAS AND CONVENIENCE STORE ITEMS, IS AROUND SIX AND A HALF MILLION.

ONCE THE PROJECT IS FULLY OPERATIONAL, WE'RE EXPECTING THAT TO MORE THAN DOUBLE.

NOW, KEEP IN MIND THAT A LOT OF SALES RIGHT NOW ARE NOT TAXABLE.

WE SELL A GATORADE, A BAG OF TRAIL MIX.

THE CITY DOES NOT GET ANY TAX REVENUE 'CAUSE THAT'S CONSIDERED GROCERY.

BUT WHEN WE START SELLING HOT FOOD, ALCOHOL, AND OTHER NON-FOOD ITEMS, ALL OF THAT IS TAXABLE.

SO MOST OF THE INCREASE IN REVENUE, UH, WILL COME FROM TAXABLE SALES, MEANING THE SALES TAX RECEIVED BY THE CITY WILL MORE THAN DOUBLE, IF NOT TRIPLE FROM WHERE IT'S TODAY.

ON TOP OF THAT, WE'RE EXPECTING OUR NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES TO DOUBLE.

MOST OF THOSE NEW EMPLOYEES WILL BE STAFFING THE DELI SECTION.

WE'RE PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO OFFER NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT ADDITIONAL STAFFING WILL ALSO HELP ENSURE, UH, STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW.

I WANT TO THANK CITY STAFF SOPHIA, UH, PLANNING DIRECTOR READER FOR BEING SO RESPONSIVE.

THEY ANSWER THE PHONE EVERY TIME, WHICH IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE IN THIS DAY AND AGE.

UM, THEY WERE VERY HELPFUL IN GIVING US, UH, INITIAL FEEDBACK AS WE WERE FIRST CONCEPTUALIZING THIS PRODUCT PROJECT AND THEN GUIDING US THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

SO YOU'RE ALL LUCKY TO HAVE THEM.

UM, AGAIN, WE ASK YOU TO ACCEPT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO, UH, APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WITH THAT ONE MODIFICATION TO ALLOW SALES TO BEGIN AT 6:00 AM THERE'S A LOT MORE I COULD SAY.

UM, I JUST WANNA GIVE EVERYONE ELSE A CHANCE TO SPEAK AND FOR YOU TO ASK QUESTIONS.

SO IF YOU DO HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.

AND JOEY IS ALSO HERE TO ANSWER ANYTHING THAT I MIGHT, MIGHT NOT HAVE THE ANSWER TO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU MR. OGLE.

WE WILL NOW HEAR, UH, LIVE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

I HAVE TWO SPEAKER SLIPS ON THIS, UH, ITEM AND I'M GOING TO CALL THEM UP.

VINCENT DICKOW, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

GOOD EVENING, CHAIR MILLER AND, UH, COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

UM, JEREMY PRETTY MUCH SUMMED UP EVERYTHING I WANTED TO SAY.

A LOT OF THINGS THAT HE SAID, BUT HE BEAT ME TO IT.

BUT, UH, THEY'RE A VERY GOOD FAMILY, COMMITTED TO THEIR COMMUNITY, VESTING BACK INTO THEIR COMMUNITY.

UM, THEY'RE MULTI-SITE OPERATORS, SO YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY HAVE A, B, C LICENSES IN OTHER LOCATIONS.

THEY HAVE ZERO VIOLATIONS.

UM, THEY TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY.

THEY TRAIN THEIR STAFF ACCORDINGLY.

UM, THEY IMPLEMENT LOTS OF LIGHTING ON THE EXTERIOR, CLEAN RESTROOMS, GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE.

AND HAVING THAT, THAT PICTURE OF, OF A NICE PLACE TO ATTEND AND TO COME AND TO BE A PATRON OF REALLY HELPS WITH THE, WITH THE BIG GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS, WHICH IS GIVING BACK AND GIVING GOOD, GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE.

UM, AS MENTIONED, THEY'RE VERY HARDWORKING AND GREAT FAMILY.

AND I, I HOPE.

THANK YOU, SIR.

NEXT, UH, IS JOVITA ANO.

[00:35:07]

MY NAME IS HOVITA ANO AND I'M HERE TONIGHT TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF EDDIE AND JOEY WRINKLE AND THEIR REQUEST TO EXPAND HIGHLAND MOBILE, THE STORE.

I'VE, I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF KNOWING EDDIE AND JOEY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT THOSE ARE THE TWO MOST HONEST, HUMBLE, COMMUNITY-MINDED PEOPLE THAT I KNOW.

THEY DON'T JUST OPERATE A BUSINESS IN NATIONAL CITY, THEY'RE PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN THEM GIVE BACK AND STEP UP TO HELP WHEN THERE IS A NEED, OFTEN WITHOUT ASKING FOR ANY KIND OF RECOGNITION AT ALL IN RETURN.

I ALSO KNOW THIS EXPANSION HAS NOT BEEN AN EASY JOURNEY.

THEY HAVE FACED MANY OBSTACLES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS AND DO WHAT HAS BEEN ASKED OF THEM BEFORE.

IN MY, BEFORE MY CURRENT POSITION NOW, I SPENT 24 YEARS WORKING FOR THE COUNTY UNDER CONTRACT, SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON PREVENTING YOUTH ACCESS TO ALCOHOL.

I DID WORK FOR INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC STRATEGIES FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

DURING THOSE YEARS, I WORKED EXTENSIVELY ON THIS VERY ISSUE.

SO PREVENTING UNDERAGE ACCESS TO ALCOHOL IS SOMETHING I TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY.

IN ALL THOSE YEARS, I'VE NEVER SEEN A BUSINESS TAKE GREATER CARE IN DESIGNING ITS OPERATION TO HELP PREVENT YOUTH ACCESS TO ALCOHOL THAN WHAT EDDIE AND JOEY ARE PROPOSING WITH THE EXPANSION OF THEIR STORE.

THEIR PLANTS SEPARATE THE ALCOHOL AREA FROM THE MAIN PORTION OF THE STORE WITH THE DELI AND THE REGULAR CUSTOMER SERVICES IN THE FRONT.

AND THE ALCOHOL AREA SPECIFICALLY LOCATED IN THE BACK.

AS YOU'VE SEEN, THEY'VE GONE THROUGH GREAT LINKS TO CREATE SAFEGUARDS SO THAT UNDERAGE YOUTH DO NOT HAVE EASY ACCESS TO ALCOHOL.

I BELIEVE THIS IS THE KIND OF RESPONSIBLE APPROACH WE SHOULD WANT TO SEE FROM ESTABLISHMENT OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS THAT SELL ALCOHOL.

EDDIE AND JOY HAVE INVESTED IN THIS COMMUNITY, SUPPORTED ITS FAMILIES, AND DEMONSTRATED THAT THEY CARE ABOUT DOING BUSINESS RESPONSIBLY TONIGHT.

I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO APPROVE THEIR PERMIT AND GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD TO EXPAND THEIR STORE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU, MA'AM.

UH, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM AND LOT OF SPEAKER SLIP? SEEING NO ONE.

I REQUEST THE SECRETARY PROCEED WITH DISCLOSING, DISCLOSING IF PUBLIC COMMENTS WERE RECEIVED IN WRITING.

NO CHAIR.

THANK YOU.

WOULD STAFF LIKE TO MAKE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? NO COMMENTS.

THANK YOU.

ANY OF THE PLANNING COMMISSIONERS HAVE ANY CLARIFYING QUESTIONS OF STAFF OR THE APPLICANT? VICE CHAIR CASTLE? I JUST HAD A A WHAT, WHAT TIME DOES, UM, SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL START? EIGHT 30.

EIGHT 30.

THAT WAS WHAT I LOOKED UP ONLINE, SO HOPEFULLY, YES, .

YES.

THANK YOU.

UM, AND THEN, UM, THIS IS FOR THE, THE APPLICANT.

UM, I JUST HAD A QUICK, QUICK QUESTION.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT THE APPLICANT TO COME UP OR WE JUST, DID HE STAB OR, OKAY, LET'S DO APPLICANT AS WELL.

IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME? UH, THE QUESTION I HAVE IS, UM, IF THE PROJECTED 19% IS 19% FOR JUST LIQUOR CELLS, WHY WOULD YOU DEDICATE 40% OF THE, THE WHOLE AREA TO, TO LIQUOR? YEAH, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION AND I MIGHT ASK JOEY TO HELP, UH, ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

OKAY.

BUT I THINK IT'S GENERALLY THE ANSWER IS THAT BE, UH, THE SIZE OF THE PRODUCT IS MUCH LARGER.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT A 12 PACK OR A BOX OF BEER, IT'S TAKING UP MUCH MORE SPACE IN YOUR STORE THAN, UH, THAN A A HIGHER VALUE SMALLER PRODUCT, BASICALLY.

AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD, I WOULD LOVE TO ASK, ASK JOEY TO COME UP AND OKAY.

YEAH, THAT'S, THAT'S FINE.

AND THEN, UM, YEAH, THAT'S FINE BECAUSE I I HAD ONE MORE QUESTION TOO.

THANK YOU.

HI.

SO MAJORITY OF IT IS COOLER STORAGE.

COULD COULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR YOUR, MY NAME'S JOSEPH RICO.

I'M THE ONE OF THE OWNERS OF THE SITE.

MM-HMM .

MAJORITY OF IT IS COOLER STORAGE, LIKE JEREMY ALLUDED TO.

IT'S PACKAGES ARE A LOT LARGER.

UM, AND, UH, JUST BACKSTOP, BASICALLY COOLER STORAGE.

OKAY.

AWESOME.

AND THEN, UM, WHY DO YOU REQUEST A 6:00 AM START TIME?

[00:40:01]

MM-HMM .

A LOT OF THE, A LOT OF THE, OF OUR CUSTOMERS ARE EARLY, ARE EARLY WORKING PEOPLE WHO COME IN SHOP PRETTY MUCH FOR THE DAY.

THEY EITHER BUY, UM, THEIR STUFF FOR THE REST OF THE DAY, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO MAKE A STOP AFTER WORK.

THEY GO STRAIGHT HOME RIGHT AFTER THEY, THEY PICK UP ALL THE STUFF THAT THEY HAVE.

WE HAVE A SITE IN MISSION VALLEY, ONE IN CORONADO, AND THESE ARE, AND WE BUILT THE, UH, GAS STATION RIGHT HERE ON MAIN AND DIVISION.

AND THAT'S THE TRADITIONAL TYPE OF CUSTOMER THAT WE SAW WOULD COME IN, PICK UP ALL THEIR STUFF FOR THE REST OF THE DAY, GO TO WORK, PUT IT IN THEIR TRUNK, AND THEN HEAD HOME AFTER THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER STOP ON THEIR WAY HOME.

SO, UM, AT EIGHT 30, MOST PEOPLE ARE AT WORK ALREADY AND YOU MISS THAT ENTIRE, THAT ENTIRE BLOCK OF REVENUE STREAM FROM THE PEOPLE WHO NEED TO GET TO WORK BEFORE SEVEN AND OR EIGHT.

UM, THAT, THAT'S WHY WE'RE REQUESTING THE 6:00 AM START.

WE'VE ACTUALLY NEVER HAD A STORE THAT OPENS THAT LATE AS FAR AS, UM, ALCOHOL CELLS.

SO IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

THERE WAS, I DID SEE THAT THEY APPROVED THE SEVEN 11, YOU KNOW, AFTER THAT NEVER CAME TO FRUITION.

AND THAT WAS AT 6:00 AM AS WELL.

SORRY.

AND THEN, UM, ONE MORE QUESTION IS, IS THERE GONNA BE A SECURITY GUARD AT THE TURNSTILE OPENING, OR IS IT JUST SPECIFICALLY FOR THE, THE CASHIERS? AND DO THEY PLAN ON CARTING SOMEBODY BEFORE THEY GO IN THERE, OR HOW IS THAT EXACTLY GONNA WORK? SO THE, THE, THE REGISTER AREA, THE COUNTER SPACE WILL HAVE A SPACE BEFORE THE TURNSTILE AND THIS SPACE AFTER THE TURNSTILE, THE REGISTER WILL BE LOCATED AFTER THE TURN STYLE AFTER YOU GET INSIDE.

BUT BEFORE YOU GET IN WE'LL CARD, YOU SEE THAT YOU'RE OKAY TO GO IN BUZZ.

THE BUZZ YOU IN ALLOW YOU TO GO IN.

AND THEN AS YOU LEAVE, SAME THING WHEN YOU'RE LEAVING THE REGISTER WILL, YOU KNOW, THE CELL WILL BE FINAL, WE'LL BUZZ YOU OUT AND YOU WILL LEAVE AS WELL.

SO YOU HAVE TO BE BUZZED IN AND BUZZED OUT OF THE AREA? YES.

OKAY.

PERFECT.

AS IT STANDS NOW.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

YEAH.

COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER ARMENTO, YOU GUYS WANNA STAY THERE? UM, I HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

UM, SO RIGHT BEFORE I FORGET, UM, SPEAKING OF THE TURNS STYLE, UH, IS, DOES, IS THERE ANY, UH, PREVENTION FOR SOMEBODY GOING UNDER THE TURNS STYLE OR JUMPING OVER AND, YOU KNOW, WE SEE IT, UH, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, AT THE TROLLEY STATIONS OR WHATNOT? SURE.

AS IT IS NOW, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A STORE THAT'S GONNA BE STAFFED WITH MULTIPLE PEOPLE IN A, IN ANY GIVEN SHIFT, THERE'LL BE BETWEEN FIVE AND SEVEN PEOPLE WORKING.

THERE'S NO WAY TO PREVENT IT.

AND I, YOU KNOW, WE THOUGHT ABOUT A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS, BUT IN THE EVENT, IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, WE DON'T WANT TO RESTRICT PEOPLE FROM BEING ABLE TO ESCAPE AS WELL.

MM-HMM .

RIGHT.

SO, UM, WE THOUGHT OF, YOU KNOW, SHOULD WE MAKE IT A DOOR? SHOULD WE MAKE IT A GATE? SHOULD WE, AND THEN THIS WAS THE MOST, YOU KNOW, THE COMMON SENSE TYPE OF THING FOR US TO FIGURE OUT, LIKE, OKAY, IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, IF THERE'S A FIRE, SOMEBODY NEEDS TO JUMP SOMEBODY, WHATEVER.

UM, THAT'S KIND OF WHY WE STUCK WITH THAT, JUST FOR LIABILITY REASONS AND THE SAFETY OF, OF OUR CUSTOMERS AS WELL.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

AND SPEAKING OF EMERGENCY, IS THERE AN EXIT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ALCOHOL AREA AND THE, AND THAT THERE IS NO EXIT AS WE SPEAK RIGHT NOW? THERE ARE DOORS THERE CURRENTLY.

I'M JUST KIND OF, KIND OF TRYING TO VISUALIZE IT.

UM, IN OUR, THERE IS NO DOORS THERE, NO, THERE WOULD BE EXIT.

UH, THE ONLY EXIT WOULD HAVE WOULD BE AT THE FRONT OF THE STORE FACING.

SO NO EMERGENCY EXIT BACK THERE EITHER.

OKAY.

UH, SO I HAVE A COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS.

YOU MENTIONED YOUR OTHER LOCATION START AT 6:00 AM YES.

DO THE OTHER, ARE THE OTHER ONES LOCATED ACROSS THE STREET FROM A HIGH SCHOOL AS WELL? NO, NO.

WE HAVE, UH, WE HAVE ONE THAT'S, UH, THE ONE IN CORONADO, I THINK IS ONE BLOCK OR TWO BLOCKS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL.

UM, THAT'S AT FOURTH AND ORANGE.

AND, UH, CORONADO HIGH.

I SEE THAT EVERY DAY WHEN I GO TO WORK OR COME BACK FROM WORK.

YEAH.

YES.

AND THE OTHER ONE'S IN MISSION VALLEY? YES.

OKAY.

UM, YOU ALSO, UH, ON YOUR SLIDES, SIR, UM, IT WAS MENTIONED THAT, UM, OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT YES.

THAT YOU GUYS TALKED TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, UH, IN THE SCHOOL.

IF THEY WERE HERE, I WOULD ASK THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHAT THEY THOUGHT.

DID YOU HAVE ANY I DIDN'T SEE ANY, UH, LETTERS OR ANY OF THEIR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS THAT HAD, DID THEY, WERE THEY FOR THIS? YEAH, THAT WOULD BE STAFF.

I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF.

OKAY.

BUT I, I WILL SAY THAT THEY WERE SATISFIED AND THEY TOLD US THAT THEY THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS THE RIGHT DESIGN FOR THE LOCATION.

AND I'LL, I'LL, I'LL ASK STAFF THE SAME QUESTION, UH, FOR THE OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT.

DID YOU RECEIVE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE SCHOOL, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT? THEY MENTIONED A COUPLE OTHER ENTITIES.

WE DIDN'T RECEIVE, UM, ANY NOTIFICATION ON THEIR OUTREACH.

HOWEVER, WE DID GET A RISK ASSESSMENT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH DID INDICATE THE BUSINESS AS LOW RISK.

AND I BELIEVE THEY PROVIDED A COUPLE OF COMMENTS, UM, IN THE RISK ASSESSMENT RELATED TO THE

[00:45:01]

NO, I, I DID SEE THAT, BUT THEY MENTIONED IT, SO I DIDN'T SEE THE SCHOOL COMMENTS ON THAT ONE.

THERE WAS, I MET, ME AND MY BROTHER PERSONALLY MET WITH THE PRINCIPAL AND THE, UM, I WANNA SAY SHE WAS THE VICE PRINCIPAL IN TRAINING.

MM-HMM .

I THINK SHE WAS JUST THERE FOR THE, UM, BEFORE THE PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE THE SCHOOL STARTED, WE TOOK 'EM FOR A TOUR.

WE SHOWED 'EM THE SLIDE, WE TOOK 'EM IN THE AREA WHERE IT WAS GONNA BE.

THEY WERE NEITHER FOR OR OPPOSED AGAINST IT, THEY JUST SAID, YOU KNOW, UM, THEY HAD LITERALLY, YOU KNOW, HONESTLY NO COMMENT, UH, FROM THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND THE, I THINK IT WAS THE VICE PRINCIPAL, ACTING VICE PRINCIPAL AT THE TIME, WHICH WAS, UH, AN .

AND, UH, I DON'T KNOW, UH, EITHER OR.