Planning Commission approves beer-and-wine permit for Cali Fresh Grill at 15028 Ramona Boulevard

The Baldwin Park Planning Commission on April 9 approved a conditional use permit enabling Cali Fresh Grill to obtain a State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Type 41 license to sell beer and wine on the premises at 15028 Ramona Boulevard.

Staff presentation: Francisco Rodriguez of the Planning Division said the applicant submitted the CP25-02 application on Feb. 26, 2025. The restaurant occupies about 2,601 square feet at the southwest corner of Ramona Boulevard and Puente Avenue in the Industrial Commercial (IC) zone and is consistent with the city's General Plan land-use designation. Staff reported no active on-sale licenses currently in Census Tract 4052.01 and determined that a new Type 41 license would not create an overconcentration of alcohol outlets in the tract.

Applicant statements: Lorena Gomez, joining the meeting by phone, said she was at a hospital for an emergency but had submitted required materials and supported the request. Martha Mendoza, present in the chamber and identified as the owner of Cali Fresh Grill, said the restaurant is a family business and that alcohol service is intended to be limited and to support menu items served during morning and early-afternoon hours.

Conditions and safeguards: The approval includes conditions requiring ABC responsible beverage-service training for staff, restrictions on hours for alcohol sales (staff and applicant indicated alcohol service would be between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., with the restaurant's operating hours listed as roughly 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and additional conditions anticipated by ABC. Staff noted condition G requires provisions for transporting patrons who appear intoxicated; the applicant also volunteered using red plastic cups during peak service as a safety measure.

Vote and environmental finding: Commissioner motion and second were called; the roll-call vote was unanimous. Chair Pena, Vice Chair Gonzales, Commissioner Escobosa and Commissioner Miranda DeSouff voted yes. The commission found the project categorically exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301 (existing facilities) and adopted Resolution PC 25-10 approving CP25-02 for Cali Fresh Grill Worldwide Inc., case number CP25-02.

What the record shows: The approval allows the applicant to pursue the ABC Type 41 license through the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control subject to local conditions. The commission recorded no enforcement history concerns from police or code enforcement in the staff report. The applicant and staff remain responsible for compliance with ABC rules and city conditions.

Next steps: The applicant will complete ABC processes and required local conditions before on-site alcohol sales begin.