Council clears Chevron Extra Mile to sell distilled spirits after public assurances on training and no crime uptick

Porterville City Council voted unanimously to approve a modification to a conditional-use permit that allows the Extra Mile convenience store on South Olive to upgrade its alcohol license to include distilled spirits.

Staff said the change is an upgrade to an existing on-site alcohol sale and will not increase the number of off-sale alcohol licenses in the census tract because the business already held a beer-and-wine license. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) caps the number of off-sale licenses by census tract; staff advised the council the modification would replace an existing license rather than add a new one.

The applicant, store representative Sam Lehi, told the council the store already complies with ABC regulations, conducts visual ID checks, uses point-of-sale software to verify age, trains employees on ID verification, and maintains a strict no-loitering policy. Police Chief Dominic Barto reported no crime spike at the location and told the council that police had no objections.

Staff clarified the appropriate CEQA finding and recommended the council adopt an exemption for the project under CEQA Guidelines §15301 (existing facilities), reflecting that the modification does not change the store’s physical footprint. Councilmembers asked about hours of alcohol sales; the amendment allows alcohol sales from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. the following morning, consistent with staff recommendations.

Outcome: The council voted 5-0 to modify the conditional-use permit and accept the staff-recommended CEQA exemption and conditions of approval. The upgrade is subject to ABC licensing approval and the store’s continuing compliance with city and state requirements.