Orinda council reintroduces zoning change to allow convenience markets at service stations, clearing way for Chevron remodel

Orinda — The Orinda City Council on Tuesday introduced Ordinance 25-06, a zoning-text amendment that would allow convenience markets within service-station buildings in downtown Orinda and set standards for size, entrances and pedestrian orientation. The ordinance was introduced unanimously and will return for a second reading and possible adoption on Jan. 20, 2026.

Associate Planner Darren Hughes told the council the measure is a reintroduction of language first considered in 2023 and was prompted by an application from Chevron to convert underused service bays at the company’s station on Orinda Way into a branded convenience market, an observation deck overlooking San Pablo Creek and an EV charging station. "This is being proposed as a reintroduction rather than a second reading," Hughes said, citing a multi-year project history and recent downtown rezonings that required alignment of code language.

Why it matters: The ordinance would remove an existing 40-square-foot limit on convenience markets at service stations, eliminate a 600-foot proximity cap to schools/playgrounds and related prohibitions, and set a guideline range for store size (about 2,250–3,000 square feet, not to…