Encinitas planning commission approves Craft Coast Tacos patio and alcohol permit, adds door-swing condition

The Encinitas Planning Commission on an unnamed January meeting approved design and coastal permits for Craft Coast Tacos, authorizing a 1,490-square-foot outdoor patio and a Type 23 California ABC license for on-site sale of beer (with wine permitted), while adding a condition that exterior doors not swing over the public right of way.

Staff planner Christina Bustamante told commissioners the site is at the northwest corner of South Coast Highway 101 and West D Street in downtown Encinitas and that the package before the commission included a design review permit, a minor use permit to authorize a Type 23 brewpub license, a boundary line adjustment moving the southern lot line 4 feet to the north, and a coastal development permit. Bustamante said the proposal does not include on-site brewing. "This project also includes a boundary adjustment to adjust the southern lot line 4 feet to the north," Bustamante said.

The commission and the applicant discussed operating hours, noise controls and site details. Bustamante said hours of operation would be 11 a.m. to midnight daily, with alcohol service on the patio ending at 10 p.m. and background speakers turned off at that time. She also said the project was found exempt from environmental review under CEQA Guidelines section 15301 (existing facilities).

Applicant representatives including zoning consultant Christopher Miller, co‑founder and head brewer Blake Masoner, and project architect Ralitza Kambakis described the design and operations. Masoner said the business holds manufacturing licenses at other locations and will duplicate allowances to operate this location under a Type 23 designation. "With the duplicates, we get brewpub designations, which Christina put on the board. A brewpub is a bonafide eatery with on-site beer, wine and guest beer privileges," Masoner said.

Commissioners pressed for details on landscaping, bicycle parking and pedestrian access. Bustamante said the site historically had little or no landscaping and the project adds modest planters; she said existing bicycle racks at the sidewalk in front of the site will remain and additional bicycle spaces will be finalized during building permits, subject to AB 43 requirements. The project will remove a former drive‑through and convert it to patio seating, a change commissioners noted may close a mid‑block pedestrian cut‑through; staff said the sidewalk remains and other nearby cut‑throughs exist.

After deliberation, a commissioner moved to approve the project and included a condition requiring that the two exterior doors not swing over the property line and into the public right of way; another commissioner seconded. The motion passed 4–0 with Commissioner Whitaker recused and one commissioner absent. The commission recorded the approval as design review, minor use permit, boundary adjustment and coastal development permit for Craft Coast Tacos with the door‑swing condition.

Votes at a glance - Approval of Craft Coast Tacos project (Design review, Minor Use Permit for Type 23 ABC license, Boundary Line Adjustment, Coastal Development Permit): approved 4–0 (Whitaker recused). - Consent calendar: approval of November 21 Planning Commission minutes: passed (vote recorded as 5–0 during consent).

The commission directed that final construction details — including exact bike‑rack placement, final paint chips and any building permit plan‑check items such as door swing/eave details — be resolved during the building permit stage. Staff reiterated that any future proposal for live entertainment or on‑site brewing would require modification of the use permit.