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South Gate planning commissioners approve beer-and-wine permit for Tacos El Unico
Summary
On Sept. 16 the South Gate Planning Commission approved Conditional Use Permit 25-02 to allow on-site sale of beer and wine (ABC Type 41) at Tacos El Unico, 2801 Firestone Blvd., subject to conditions including surveillance, employee training and a six‑month compliance review.
The South Gate Planning Commission on Sept. 16 approved Conditional Use Permit 25-02 to allow on-site sale of beer and wine at Tacos El Unico, located at 2801 Firestone Boulevard, Unit B. The commission found the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Class 1 (existing facilities) and approved the permit subject to staff-recommended conditions.
Senior Planner Blayo presented the request, describing the restaurant’s location within a small shopping center on the north side of Firestone Boulevard near the Long Beach Boulevard intersection and directly across from an elementary school. Blayo said the restaurant occupies roughly three‑quarters of the building, uses a shared parking lot with an adjacent convenience store and bank, and has a drive‑through lane that wraps the north and west side of the building. Staff recommended approval and noted three required findings in the city code for conditional use permits in the Urban Neighborhood zoning district.
Jennifer Oden, representing the applicant and the Sanchez family, told commissioners the family has operated a Tacos El Unico location in the city since the 1990s and spent “several hundred thousand dollars” remodeling the current site. Oden said the application requests a state ABC Type 41 license (on‑sale beer and wine in conjunction with food) and that the applicant accepts the roughly 31 draft conditions in the staff packet. She highlighted enforcement provisions: revocation for noncompliance, a 24‑hour video surveillance requirement with recordings retained a minimum of 72 hours, no exterior advertising of alcohol, no alcohol sold to go or through the drive‑through, and mandatory responsible beverage service training for managers and employees under state ABC law. The applicant proposed operating hours of 9 a.m. to midnight daily; Oden and staff explained that alcohol service would be tied to approved hours but that the draft conditions require alcohol sales to cease earlier (see clarifying details).
Lieutenant Amador of the South Gate Police Department said command staff initially raised concerns because a school sits across Firestone Boulevard and because of historical problems at the site before the current owners. Amador reported the department recorded 13 calls for service to the address in 2025, mostly for minor transient disturbances, and noted the current owners have called police when problems occur. Amador said the department appreciated the permit conditions and did not object to the application as written but wanted the commission to be aware of the school proximity and past history.
Public commenter Britney, who lives nearby, spoke in favor of the permit and described the restaurant as family friendly. An emailed comment from Mario Dominguez asked whether drive‑through patrons could order alcohol and said he supported the CUP but noted revocation would be possible if problems arise.
Commissioners asked about specific conditions and operational details: staff said the city had conducted standard public noticing (including a storefront posting) but had not reached out directly to school officials; the state ABC also conducts its own investigation for a Type 41 license and had not registered objections as of the hearing. Commissioners and staff discussed existing unpermitted signage onsite; staff said the applicant had already removed a-frame and window signs identified during the review and that the draft conditions require removal or permitting of any unpermitted signs.
A commissioner moved to approve the conditional use permit and a second was recorded. A roll call vote recorded unanimous approval by the five commissioners present and the motion passed.
The permit includes multiple compliance and enforcement measures and a planning commission review within six months to evaluate whether alcohol sales have created issues requiring further action.
Outcome: conditional use permit 25-02 approved, subject to the conditions listed in the staff report and the city’s municipal code.
