Planning Commission approves beer-and-wine sales permit for Artesia Boulevard service station

The Redondo Beach Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit Wednesday to allow the sale of beer and wine for off‑site consumption at an existing service station and convenience store at 2714 Artesia Boulevard.

Staff and the applicant said the permit would be limited to beer and wine only, sold during set hours and with restrictions on package sizes, display area and advertising. Senior Planner Andrew Spytek described operational safeguards and code conditions staff proposed to limit visibility and on‑site consumption.

Spytek said the CUP would allow sales between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m., seven days a week, would permit only beer and wine (no distilled spirits), and would limit alcohol display to less than 10% of total retail floor area. He added the designated display and storage area “will not directly be visible from the entryway” and that coolers “will be locked at all times until somebody presents age verification.”

The applicant, Bashir, owner of the station, said the store operator will use electronic locks on the beverage coolers and will not permit on‑site consumption. He told the commission the project also includes renovation of interior convenience market space and proposed EV charging stations, and that the business is investing about $2.1 million in site upgrades.

Public comment was mixed. Jim Mueller asked the commission to deny the permit, citing concerns about additional outlets for intoxicants and traffic safety along Artesia Boulevard. Mike Grady, the adjacent repair‑shop owner, supported the project and said he expects the business to include EV charging, deli service and incidental grocery sales to be beneficial to the area.

Commissioners discussed the packet language on “single‑serve individual containers” and worked with staff to clarify allowable package sizes. The commission added conditions limiting beer sales to multi‑pack formats (4‑pack or 6‑pack or larger) and wine sales to standard 750 milliliter bottles or larger, prohibited single‑serve containers, required posting signage prohibiting on‑site consumption, and retained operational and nuisance conditions (including ABC compliance and a clause terminating the CUP if the ABC license is suspended for 90 days).

After deliberation the commission voted unanimously to approve the exemption declaration and the CUP with the commission’s added conditions. At roll call, commissioners registered “aye.”

The CUP contains the following notable conditions added or confirmed by the commission: sales only of beer and wine for off‑site consumption; sales hours 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; beer limited to multi‑pack sales (4‑pack or 6‑pack or larger) and wine limited to 750 ml bottles or larger; alcohol display limited to less than 10% of retail area and not visible from the entrance; coolers locked until age verification; no alcohol advertising on fuel islands or lighted window advertising; and a posted prohibition on on‑site consumption. Staff also noted the CUP will expire within 36 months if not exercised or extended.

Votes at a glance - J1 (CUP for beer and wine at 2714 Artesia Boulevard) — Motion to approve with additional conditions: Passed (unanimous; roll call recorded as Aye by Commissioners Light, Boswell, Craig, Gattis, Conroy, Hazeltine, and Chairperson Lam).