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Fresno supervisors decline request for off-sale beer-and-wine license in Callaway
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted to withhold a finding of public convenience or necessity for a Type 20 off‑sale beer-and-wine license by Sola 1 at 2444 South Ninth Street, citing an existing concentration of liquor outlets and community safety concerns.
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted to withhold a finding of public convenience or necessity for a Type 20 off‑sale beer-and-wine license for a proposed store, Sola 1, at 2444 South Ninth Street in Callaway.
The board heard a presentation from Ron Alexander of the County Administrative Office explaining that the state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has a moratorium on new Type 20 licenses in the applicant's census tract unless the board finds public convenience or necessity. Alexander said the applicant's parcel is in Census Tract 12.01, which already exceeds the number of ABC‑allowed off‑sale licenses for that tract, and that nearby census tracts contain numerous additional licenses. He also told the board the City of Fresno submitted an objection citing the Neighborhood Market Act.
The applicant, who identified himself but said he does not speak English well, told the board he wanted the license to operate and support his family. "I need the license because I... try to be a good member of this community," he said through limited English.
Supervisor Chavez said he reviewed calls for service data in the area and described a pattern of public‑safety strain. "The primary reason for me, not supporting this today is because of the oversaturation of the liquor licenses," he said, and moved that the board not support the application. The motion carried; the board acted without supporting the required finding that would allow ABC to issue the license under the current moratorium.
Why it matters: ABC will deny the license unless a local governing body makes an affirmative finding of public convenience or necessity. By declining to make that finding, the board effectively blocked the applicant from obtaining the off‑sale beer‑and‑wine license under current state policy and the local record of objection.
What the board decided and next steps: The board's action leaves the merchant unable to receive a Type 20 license unless the applicant pursues other administrative or legal options with ABC or addresses the objections on record. The county record will include the City of Fresno's objection based on the Neighborhood Market Act and the board's cited concerns about license density and public‑safety calls for service.
