Selma planning commission approves My Vintage and Thrift at 1971 High Street

The City of Selma Planning Commission on May 20, 2025, approved a conditional use permit for My Vintage and Thrift, a boutique-style resale store at 1971 High Street, allowing the business to operate downtown subject to conditions including signage requirements and limits on donation handling.

Kumar Bewoguis, city planner for the City of Selma, told commissioners the application required a conditional use permit under the municipal code because the retail use includes resale of used goods. "This application was subsequently denied by the planning division as retail establishments that include resales of used goods require approval of a conditional use permit, per section 11-2.4 subsection c of the municipal code," Bewoguis said. He also said staff planned to file a notice of exemption under CEQA (15301, existing facilities exemption) because the site previously operated as retail.

Applicant Isabelle Vargas, owner of My Vintage and Thrift, described the store as a handpicked, boutique-style shop focused primarily on women's clothing and select vintage home goods. "I handpick and select everything really high quality," Vargas said. She told the commission she does not intend to accept open donations and, if donations occur, they would be by appointment only.

Members of the public spoke in favor of the store. Della Ramirez said the shop would provide an affordable clothing option for families, adding, "I think this is good for families to be able to have that option."

Commissioners discussed signage, hours and how the new business would differ from nearby resale shops. Bewoguis pointed to conditions in the staff report requiring a posted no-dumping sign on the property and directing that any donations be handled through the front entrance; he also said any new wall or freestanding signage would require a separate sign permit. "All new signage . . . must be reviewed by a separate sign permit," Bewoguis said, and he summarized the zone’s sign-size rule as roughly two square feet of wall sign per linear foot of building frontage for single-tenant commercial space.

Commissioners asked whether the city limits the number of resale or thrift stores downtown. Bewoguis responded, "No. So short answer is no," explaining that the conditional use permit process is the available mechanism to evaluate whether a particular resale use fits the area.

A commissioner moved to approve the conditional use permit and notice of exemption subject to the conditions in the staff report. The motion passed with recorded affirmative votes from Commissioner Franco, Commissioner Kessler, Commissioner Corey, Commissioner Sandridge, Commissioner Ramirez and Chair Salas. The approval is conditioned on satisfying the conditions of approval listed in Plan 25-21, including signage compliance, no-dumping signage, and the stated rules for donations and access.

Staff closed the item by reminding the commission of upcoming business, including a potential northern annexation that may appear at the July meeting and a scheduled Brown Act/ethics training session. The commission did not place additional conditions beyond those in the staff report and the action will allow the applicant to proceed with the city business-license process and required sign permitting.