Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Augusto Cucina Cup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves conditional use permit for downtown banquet/overflow space at Augusto Cucina
Summary
The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to approve a conditional use permit to allow an existing downtown restaurant, Augusto Cucina Italiana, to convert part of its building into a small overflow/banquet space and to permit on-site beer-and-wine sales, subject to applicable licensing and building-code approvals.
The Riverbank Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit on June 17, 2025, allowing Augusto Cucina Italiana to create a small overflow/banquet area at its downtown location and to pursue authorization to sell beer and wine for on-site consumption.
Staff told commissioners the site is within the downtown specific plan’s Highway Boulevard zone, which supports eating establishments and catering uses. The applicant’s proposed floor plan is small and intended to serve as overflow seating for the existing restaurant and for modest private rentals; staff said the space would not accommodate “hundreds of people.” Staff also said the project would undergo required signage review and must meet building and fire-code capacity limits.
Staff said the proposal includes door-width improvements to meet ADA requirements (expanding three doors to 36–42 inches) and noted that the specific alcoholic-beverage license the owner pursues will be determined through the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) process. Staff recommended approval, finding the municipal code-required conditional-use findings were met and that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the provision staff cited.
A staff member said the estimated maximum interior capacity under the proposed plan would be about 30 patrons plus staff, subject to final determination by building and fire code review. No members of the public spoke in opposition during the public comment period for this item.
A roll-call vote recorded Chair Tidy Zamora and Commissioners Armando Rodriguez, Joan Stewart, Natasha Basso and John Dinan as voting yes; the motion carried 5-0. The conditional use permit (file number 03-2025) was approved by the commission. The applicant must pursue the appropriate ABC license and satisfy building- and fire-code limits before operating the banquet/overflow use.
