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 exceed 20 percent of lot area). It would also require a noticed commercial-use permit and set pedestrian-entry and frontage expectations intended to promote walkability.

Project details and public benefits: Chevron’s district sales manager, Jessie Brodowski, described the proposal as a conversion of vacant service bays into a pedestrian-oriented ExtraMile convenience market with outdoor seating, an observation deck overlooking San Pablo Creek, the first EV charging station at a service station in Orinda, and public restrooms. Brodowski said the company has negotiated an offer of fee-title dedication for about 0.22 acres of creek-side land with a 5-foot access easement and is offering a donation for public right-of-way improvements at about $24,874. "We want to complete this project so that we can offer Orinda updated station bathrooms, and the convenience of a mart that is open after other businesses close," Brodowski said.

Environmental and legal notes: Staff said a Phase I environmental site assessment identified a need for Phase II sampling; Chevron declined to perform Phase II as part of the offer. The city has up to 10 years to accept the dedication; staff noted there is no requirement to accept it tonight.

Safety, enforcement and fresh-food questions: Several council members and residents raised concerns about safety, underage alcohol sales and whether convenience markets of this type lead to higher local crime. Police Chief Rossi told the council there is "no specific data" showing higher crime at Orinda’s convenience stores and that the department could assist with crime-prevention design measures. Brodowski said Chevron maintains corporate security standards, camera systems and an ID-scanning policy and that company-owned stores use mystery shoppers and a zero-tolerance policy for underage alcohol sales.

Residents and business owners weighed in during the public hearing. Multiple local speakers and the Chamber of Commerce expressed support for the project’s design, creek access and amenities; one former council member and some residents urged caution and reminded the council of the prior ordinance’s intent. An attorney representing Bridal Convenience (the operator of the Shell station across the street) said his client supports the ordinance except for the proposed 35-foot maximum setback provision for sidewalk-oriented entrances, which would make it difficult for other existing stations to use the new zoning without a variance.

Council debate and decision: Council members discussed three options for the 35-foot entrance rule: keep it as drafted, delete it entirely, or replace it with more flexible language requiring that a store "include a pedestrian entrance oriented to the sidewalk in the public right of way." City staff recommended the latter as a workable, less arbitrary alternative that would preserve the walkability objective while not unduly blocking other stations. Council members ultimately voted to introduce Ordinance 25-06 as presented and asked staff to return with the ordinance for second reading and adoption on Jan. 20, 2026.

Next steps: The council’s introduction is a procedural step; the ordinance must be adopted at a later meeting to take effect. If adopted, staff said the city manager would take steps to accept and record any negotiated dedication and to receive the donation per the agreements described in staff materials.

Meeting outcome: Ordinance 25-06 was introduced by motion, seconded and approved by unanimous roll-call vote. The second reading and adoption are scheduled for the Jan. 20, 2026 council meeting.