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Planning commission approves Willoughby’s Wines & Spirits conditional use permit for 230 East Blythedale
Summary
The Mill Valley Planning Commission voted 4–0 on June 10 to approve a conditional use permit for Willoughby’s Wines & Spirits at 230 East Blythedale Avenue, allowing a 2,700‑square‑foot liquor and specialty bottle shop with a small 100‑square‑foot tasting area. Commissioners and staff cited no code findings blocking the use but public commenters raised concerns about market saturation and proximity to parks and schools.
The Mill Valley Planning Commission voted 4–0 on June 10 to approve a conditional use permit for Willoughby’s Wines & Spirits at 230 East Blythedale Avenue, authorizing a 2,700‑square‑foot specialty bottle shop with retail sales of beer, wine, spirits, prepackaged snacks and a 100‑square‑foot tasting room. The store’s proposed hours are Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; tastings would be offered Tuesdays–Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and limited to six customers in the tasting space.
Staff Planner Ross summarized the project as an existing tenant space within an approximately 11,000‑square‑foot commercial building and said the site is served by a shared parking lot of about 71 spaces, roughly 45 of which are assigned to the 230 East Blythedale property. Ross said the applicant needs state ABC licensing (identified in the staff report as type 21 for off‑sale general and type 86 for instructional tastings) and local tobacco licensing for limited cigar sales. Staff recommended a categorical CEQA exemption for an existing facility and approval of the CUP with the conditions in the exhibit.
Public commenters raised concerns about the project’s necessity and location. Jonathan Livingston, a nearby resident, displayed photos from the applicant’s marketing materials and said he was concerned about the proximity of the tasting bar to Boyle Park and nearby schools. Anil Deer, owner of Jolly King Liquors, told commissioners that Mill Valley already has numerous outlets selling alcohol for a population of about 14,000 and asked whether another retail liquor outlet is needed to serve the community.
During deliberations commissioners questioned whether the local ‘need’ criterion is objective (staff: it is subjective and the police department was consulted) and whether a market analysis had been done (staff: no formal market study was performed). Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that the issue before them was whether the use would be detrimental to neighborhood health, safety or welfare under local code. Several commissioners said they were persuaded by the proposed operating restrictions and conditions and by the lack of specific findings showing detriment.
Commissioner Skiles moved to approve the conditional use permit; Commissioner Makris seconded. The roll call recorded Commissioner Gasparick voting yes, Commissioner Makris voting yes, Commissioner Skiles saying “aye,” and the chair announced the motion carried; the clerk later confirmed the action as 4–0. The chair read appeal information and noted that a written appeal to the City Council must be filed with the planning department within 10 calendar days and accompanied by a $1,083 appeal fee.
The commission’s approval permits the applicant to apply for the necessary ABC and local tobacco licenses and requires compliance with the conditions of approval as drafted in the staff exhibit. The decision may be appealed to the City Council within the stated 10‑day window.
