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Planning commission approves 7‑Eleven permit to add distilled spirits at Fairview Road store
Summary
The Costa Mesa Planning Commission voted 7‑0 to approve a conditional use permit allowing the 7‑Eleven at 2244 Fairview Road to change its California ABC license from beer-and-wine (Type 20) to a general (Type 21) license, with a condition that distilled spirits be displayed and sold only behind the sales counter.
The Costa Mesa Planning Commission on Monday approved a conditional use permit for the 7‑Eleven convenience store at 2244 Fairview Road to change its California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control license from a Type 20 (beer and wine) to a Type 21 (general, including distilled spirits).
Staff presented the application and recommended approval, noting the store operates 24 hours and that the applicant would relinquish the existing Type 20 license if the Type 21 is issued. The staff report cited Costa Mesa Municipal Code section 13‑29(d)(3) for noticing and recommended a finding that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA.
During the public hearing, applicant representative Sherry Olson said the store would offer “a small amount behind the cash register” and emphasized security measures: “We have security cameras, quite a few of them in the interior, quite a few on the exterior, which can be accessed by the police department on an IP address.” Olson also told commissioners the applicant “did read the conditions of approval, and we concurred with them.”
Commissioners discussed how alcohol would be displayed and whether the written conditions needed to explicitly cover wine and refrigerated displays. Commissioner Dixon proposed a friendly amendment to replace an existing condition (number 5) with text restricting distilled spirits to behind‑the‑counter display and clarifying refrigeration rules for beer and wine; after staff and the applicant agreed, the maker of the motion accepted the amendment. The final condition approved states that distilled spirits “shall only be sold and displayed behind the counter.”
Police department materials provided to staff reported no alcohol‑related arrests linked to the site and no objection to the requested license change. The record shows the applicant has held a beer‑and‑wine license at the location for 27 years and that the applicant did not purchase a Type 21 in the recent state lottery, instead pursuing the city CUP first.
The commission voted 7‑0 to find the project categorically exempt under CEQA and to approve Conditional Use Permit PCUP‑25‑0012 with the amended conditions of approval. The decision is final unless appealed to the City Council within seven days.
The file and conditions will be forwarded to the state ABC process; the applicant must relinquish the Type 20 license after the Type 21 is issued by the state.
