Selma Planning Commission approves conditional use permit for children's thrift store 'Lovely Little Things'

The Selma Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit, CUP Plan 25-10, allowing a new children’s thrift store called Lovely Little Things to operate in a downtown Central Business District storefront. The special meeting began at 6:03 p.m.; the motion passed in a roll-call vote recorded as 6-0.

The store, proposed by applicant Andrea Castellanos, would sell lightly used children’s clothing, equipment, toys, books and accessories from a space on the northeast corner of High Street and north of First Street. Kumar Abiowogie, city planner for the City of Selma, told commissioners the project would not expand the building or add off-street parking and that staff has determined the project is categorically exempt from further California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under CEQA Guidelines §15301 (existing facilities). "The proposed thrift retail store will serve local families in need by offering affordable, lightly used children's clothing, equipment, toys, books, and accessories," Abiowogie said during his presentation.

Nut graf: The permit clears the way for a locally owned secondhand store intended to provide low-cost goods and community programs, but approval is conditioned on accessibility work, limits on how donations are accepted and other standard tenant/tenant-improvement requirements. Those conditions reflect both state building-code requirements tied to a change in occupancy and local nuisance-prevention measures.

Commission discussion and staff explanations focused on two implementation issues. First, the change in occupancy classification from business (B) to mercantile (M) triggers California Building Code requirements for path-of-travel and accessible restroom improvements. Abiowogie and staff explained the applicant may seek a hardship exception for full compliance if required ADA upgrades would exceed the statutory threshold; staff cited the typical threshold figure discussed during the meeting of about $193,350 as the upper limit used to determine whether full upgrades are required. If a hardship exemption is granted, the applicant must still complete a prioritized set of accessibility improvements equal to at least 20% of the project construction cost and submit cost estimates and a hardship request form to the building department and plan-checking consultant.

Second, conditions require that donations be accepted only at the front of the building and that signs stating "No dumping" be posted at the front and rear of the property. Abiowogie told the commission the front-only donation requirement is intended to deter nighttime dumping and accumulation of materials behind the building. The permit includes standard conditions addressing tenant improvements and potential equipment upgrades; staff clarified that many of those conditions are boilerplate and would apply only if the tenant installs new rooftop mechanical equipment, backflow devices or similar systems.

Public commenters spoke in support. Andrea Castellanos, the applicant, said, "This thrift store is designed to support families in our community. This store will offer more than just affordable items. It will be a place where families can buy, sell, and donate gently used children's clothing and goods." Other attendees urged approval on the grounds that the space otherwise would remain vacant and that the store could draw shoppers to downtown Selma and nearby communities.

Staff also addressed enforcement items. A condition requires graffiti removal within 48 hours by the tenant or citation under the municipal code; staff noted that the municipal code is under revision and that the enforcement requirement could change if the City Council adopts the pending ordinance at its second reading and the ordinance takes effect 30 days thereafter.

Procedure and next steps: the applicant must apply for a building permit documenting the change of occupancy and work with the plan-checking consultant (identified in the meeting as Rob Karsi) on ADA and code compliance. Staff indicated impact fees would not apply and that the building-permit review should be a relatively short process given the limited scope of interior tenant improvements described by the applicant.

The commission made a motion to approve CUP Plan 25-10; the motion was seconded and approved on a roll call. Vote recorded: Commissioner Garcia — yes; Commissioner Corey — yes; Commissioner Standridge — yes; Commissioner Kessler — yes; Commissioner Ramirez — yes; Chair Salas — yes. The meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m. Earlier in the meeting the commission administered the oath of office to newly appointed Commissioner Brian Ramirez.