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Commission allows Wine Styles to serve wine by the glass under tight limits
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a conditional‑use authorization permitting Wine Styles at 9 West Portal Avenue to sell and serve wine on‑site subject to conditions that limit the on‑site area to one‑third of occupied floor space, cap seating, and restrict hours (approved 9 AM–8 PM standard hours; private events exempt). The decision followed extensive neighborhood testimony for and against the change.
The Planning Commission on June 4 approved a conditional‑use authorization permitting on‑site service at Wine Styles (9 West Portal Avenue) under conditions designed to keep the business primarily a retail shop and not a full bar.
Staff presented recommended conditions to limit on‑site consumption to a Type‑42 ABC (beer and wine) license, cap the on‑site area to one‑third of occupied floor space, require that two‑thirds of store area remain dedicated to retail displays, and limit hours. The applicants, James and Gail (local shop owners), said they sought the ability to sell a full glass of wine to customers who wished to sample before buying; supporters from the neighborhood and merchants association urged approval as community‑building and complementary to existing businesses.
Opponents, including the nearby wine bar Que Sera and some merchants, warned that adding on‑site service risked harming an independent wine bar and changing the block’s character. Testimony included claims that Wine Styles previously exceeded permitted tasting allowances and that the market may be saturated; proponents countered that Wine Styles draws foot traffic to the commercial strip and presented substantial neighborhood support (petitions and letters).
After substantial questioning about hours, seating and ABC license implications (type 20 vs. requested type 42), commissioners negotiated conditions: the Commission limited on‑site consumption to at most one‑third of publicly accessible floor area, capped typical seating at eight, and restricted routine on‑site service hours to 9 a.m.–8 p.m. (private events that close the store to the public may be exempt). The motion to approve those conditions carried unanimously.
Staff noted the applicant must still obtain a place‑of‑entertainment or other ABC approvals and pass a required noise test before expanding on‑site service.
