Oxnard planning commission approves Vallarta supermarket alcohol permit after compliance issues

The City of Oxnard Planning Commission on Sept. 18, 2025 voted to approve Planning and Zoning Permit 25-510-02, granting a special use permit for a new ABC Type 21 off-sale general license at the Vallarta Supermarket located at 3443 Saviers Road. The approved hours for alcohol sales are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

City staff told the commission the previous tenant, Ralphs, had an alcohol license that predated the city—s current special use permit requirement and that Vallarta purchased that license when it took the tenant space. Staff said the new operator is not allowed to sell alcohol until the planning commission approves the permit, and that Oxnard police inspected the site after the store—s grand opening and found alcohol on-site. Police instructed the store to lock up the stock and post signage; staff reported the store subsequently covered coolers and posted signs saying alcohol was not for sale until the permit was granted.

"That license went along with the property and was issued prior to the city's requirement for a special use permit," City staff said during the presentation, noting the change in operators triggered the need to bring the location into compliance. "Without the special use permit, Vallarta is not currently allowed to sell alcohol until the planning commission approves the special use permit." (staff)

Brett Engstrom, the applicant's designated agent, said Vallarta has occupied the former Ralphs space and that the company purchased the Ralphs license, meaning "there's actually no net increase in the number of ABC licenses as a result of our application." Engstrom described Vallarta as a family-run chain that operates security at its locations and has upgraded parking-lot lighting at the Saviers Road site. "They have security at each one of their locations... they check the parking lot periodically, keep things civil inside the store," Engstrom said.

Scott Swinson, the Oxnard Police Department representative, told the commission he visited the site and that Vallarta's presence would be an improvement compared with the prior conditions. "Their security guards have always been really good at taking care of business at their existing stores in Oxnard," Swinson said, adding that the company immediately addressed lighting and security concerns after staff contacted them.

Vice Chair Dr. Stewart, who reported an ex parte site visit earlier in the meeting, described what he observed at the store and said his site visit resolved his questions. "I went into the store to look at where the alcohol is supposed to be... when the store manager came over, I asked the same question, and he said, 'yeah. I was aware of that, and we aren't selling it,'" Dr. Stewart said.

Commissioner Nash said he could support the permit, citing the long history of the site selling alcohol and the Oxnard Police Department's recommendation for approval. "There is not an undue concentration under city standards. Therefore, finding a public convenience can be made for this proposal," Nash said, noting Vallarta's investments in lighting and security.

The commission adopted the staff recommendation and the resolution approving Planning and Zoning Permit 25-510-02 and found the project categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines section 15301 (existing facilities). The motion was moved by Vice Chair Dr. Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Nash. Roll-call votes recorded Vice Chair Dr. Stewart: yes; Commissioner Nash: yes; Commissioner Dr. Lopez: yes; Commissioner Schulke: yes; Commissioner Barcena: yes; Chair Arejo: yes. The motion passed unanimously.

The permit includes the conditions and findings set out in the adopted resolution; staff noted that, until the permit took effect, the store must keep alcohol secured and display signage that alcohol is not for sale. The planning commission record indicates the Oxnard Police Department recommended approval and that the neighborhood council chair had no objection to the project.