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Camarillo planning commission backs ordinance to curb small off‑sale liquor outlets near freeway interchanges
Summary
The Camarillo Planning Commission on Nov. 4 recommended that the City Council consider an amendment to limit small off‑sale alcohol establishments within 1,320 feet of freeway interchanges in the Commercial Plan Development zone.
The Camarillo Planning Commission on Nov. 4 recommended that the City Council consider an amendment to the municipal code that would restrict small off‑sale alcoholic beverage establishments in the Commercial Plan Development (CPD) zone near freeway interchanges.
Senior planner Paul McLaren told commissioners the proposed redlines consolidate allowed uses into a single "alcoholic beverage establishments (off‑sale)" category and add a limitation that would prevent off‑sale licenses for establishments under 7,500 square feet located within 1,320 linear feet (one quarter mile) of Caltrans right‑of‑way at interchanges, while allowing large format stores such as grocery chains to continue operating. "We found higher concentrations of off‑sale establishments near off‑ramps, which increase accessibility to underage individuals and correlate with higher service call volume to the police department," McLaren said.
McLaren said staff examined mapping around multiple interchanges and identified clusters of small‑format retailers and gas stations that, without the change, could lead to an "undue concentration" of outlets. Existing businesses that already hold conditional use permits (CUPs) would be protected through nonconforming use clauses that allow continuity of operation, routine maintenance and up to 365 days for a property to re‑tenant without losing its CUP, McLaren said.
Commissioners focused questions on the buffer measurement, asking whether the 1,320‑foot limit applies continuously along the freeway or specifically around interchanges. McLaren acknowledged an earlier drafting inconsistency in the staff report and agreed the ordinance language will be corrected to specify measurement from Caltrans right‑of‑way at interchanges.
The commission voted to adopt Resolution PC2025‑9 recommending approval to the City Council, with the interchange clarification added. The vote was unanimous among commissioners present.
What happens next: The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the City Council for final action; staff said the ordinance was recommended as exempt from CEQA.
Sources: staff presentation and commission vote at the Nov. 4 Camarillo Planning Commission meeting.
