Planning commission approves tobacco retailer at 14270 Lakeshore Drive over commissioner objections; 4–1 vote

The Clearlake Planning Commission on June 10 approved a conditional use permit to allow tobacco retail sales at 14270 Lakeshore Drive by a 4–1 roll call vote, adopting resolution PC2025‑05 with staff‑proposed conditions, including a prohibition on cannabis products and paraphernalia.

Senior planner Mark Robertson summarized the proposal: the building is roughly 1,900 square feet and the applicant plans to use about 1,100 square feet (roughly 60–70% of the building) for tobacco sales, with the remainder for general merchandise. Staff said the site has about three standard parking spaces plus one accessible space and noted proximity to nearby parks and Burns Valley School. Robertson told commissioners the application is being processed with an environmental filing that staff characterizes as exempt under existing‑facility criteria (CE2025‑04).

The proposal, submitted as CUP 29 5‑03 with corresponding environmental filing CE2025‑04 and resolution PC2025‑05, includes conditions of approval specific to tobacco retailers. Staff said the city will require compliance with state and county tobacco licensing rules, a local retail license, age verification (21+), inventory and display rules (no self‑service displays), and a ban on flavored tobacco per applicable state and county rules. The commission also added explicit language banning the sale, distribution or display of cannabis, cannabis‑derived products or paraphernalia on the premises as a condition of approval.

Commissioner Ingalls said he was not in favor and expressed concerns about the number of existing tobacco retailers in the city and the potential for underage access. “The only place that kids are going to get tobacco from are from legal outlets. And the more you have, the more kids get it,” Ingalls said. A public safety representative noted enforcement workload depends on actual customer volumes and cited the staff estimate of 10–15 customers during the opening week; the representative said if business traffic remains that low, law enforcement impact would likely be limited.

Applicant Moshe Delaje said the 10–15 figure was an estimate for the opening week and that customer counts would likely rise over time. “When we open… 10 to 15 customers. But after that… next month or two months, we're going to get, of course, more than 15,” Delaje said.

Commissioners asked about accessibility and parking; staff said any required ADA/accessibility improvements (California Building Code, Chapter 11B) and permit inspections would be enforced as part of the permitting process. Staff also noted coordination with special districts and Lake County for permitting and inspections related to the retail operation.

Roll call on the motion to adopt resolution PC2025‑05 (including staff changes) was recorded as follows: Commissioner Counts — aye; Commissioner Ingalls — no; Commissioner Silva — aye; Vice Chair Smalley — aye; Chair Williams — aye. The motion passed 4–1.

The resolution adopts conditions specific to tobacco retailers, requires applicable state and county licenses, and prohibits cannabis products on the premises; staff will follow up on permitting, inspections and required registrations before operation.