The Oxnard City Planning Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve a planning and zoning permit (25-510-01) that modifies an existing special-use permit for Magna Vino Cellars to add brewery operations and two new Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license types.

Staff presented the item as an amendment to the existing permit (09510-06) for the site at 961 North Rice Avenue and recommended approval. John Dalby, associate planner, told the commission the project “meets the standards set forth by the city,” noting site parking was adequate and that the added ABC licenses would expand business on the site.

The applicant, David Rice, described the expansion as an addition to the long-established winery. “Public Realm Brewing Company…where connections are made and kept through craft beer,” Rice said, adding the owners plan to host music, local events and family-friendly community activities and to partner with local nonprofits.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the record shows few public-safety or parking concerns and local businesses contacted by staff did not object. Commissioner Nash read findings from the staff report and legal reference material into the record, saying, “there is not an undue concentration under the provisions of California Business and Professions Code section 23958.4.” That assessment and the lack of public opposition in the record were central to the commission’s vote.

During deliberations, commissioners noted two written comment letters in support from employees of Magna Vino Cellars and asked staff about police conditions that had been removed from the staff report; staff clarified those lines were omitted from the report and no changes to recommended conditions of approval were necessary. Vice Chair Doctor Seward and Commissioner Nash moved and seconded the recommended action.

The motion, as stated on the record, was to “find the project to be categorically exempt from environmental review 25, double X, approving planning and zoning permit number 25-510-01 for an alcohol special use permit subject to certain findings and conditions.” The commission recorded aye votes from Vice Chair Doctor (Stewart/Seward), Commissioner Nash, Commissioner Lopez and Chair Arejo; the motion passed.

No members of the public spoke during the hearing; staff said two supportive comment letters had been received earlier in the day. The approval allows the property owner (listed in the staff report as Mallard Properties Company) and the applicant to add a brewery/taproom and two ABC license types to the existing winery, subject to the standard findings and the conditions listed in the staff report.

The commission’s action was limited to the alcohol special-use permit and the environmental finding stated on the record; the commission did not take separate actions on building permits or other approvals that would be required for construction or operations. Staff noted the Measure M–related presentation for the item had been prerecorded and posted per city practice.