Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Planning commission approves permit to allow beer and wine sales at 8102 International Boulevard grocery
Loading...
Summary
The Oakland Planning Commission voted to approve a major conditional use permit allowing beer and wine for off-site consumption at an existing grocery store at 8102 International Boulevard, affirming staff’s environmental determination; the decision is subject to a 10‑day appeal.
The Oakland Planning Commission voted to approve a major conditional use permit Monday to allow the sale of beer and wine for off-site consumption at an existing grocery store at 8102 International Boulevard.
Staff project planner Mike Rivera told commissioners the store proposes beer and wine sales confined to a small refrigerated area at the rear of the market, with hours matching the store’s operating schedule of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Rivera said the property is in a CN‑3 zone and requires a major conditional use permit; staff concluded the proposal would have minimal neighborhood impacts and recommended approval subject to conditions and a staff environmental determination. Rivera also noted the department had received a 2024 letter to the State Alcohol Beverage Control agency and a subsequent similarly worded letter raising concerns that there are already too many alcohol-selling establishments along International Boulevard.
The applicant’s representative, Rena Rickles, said the store circulated bilingual petitions at checkout stands over about two weeks and submitted copies to the record. “We have a total of 300 signatures,” Rickles said, adding that most signers left comments and that petitions were available in English and Spanish. The applicant’s general manager, Ascanio Ramirez, described security measures, lighting and a 45-space parking lot, and said the store’s customers had asked management to apply for beer sales because it would be more convenient and feel safer than sending shoppers to a separate liquor store.
Several commissioners said they had visited the store and supported staff’s findings. One commissioner described the proposed alcohol area as “very, very incidental,” likening it to the store’s milk aisle, and said allowing sales at the market would be more convenient and safer for customers.
Commissioner Josie Arens moved to affirm the staff environmental determination and approve the major conditional use permit subject to the attached findings; Commissioner Maurice Robb seconded. The roll call vote recorded yes votes from Commissioner Owen Lee, Commissioner Maurice Robb, Commissioner Josie Arens and Vice Chair Natalie Sandoval. The motion passed; staff recorded the project as approved and noted the decision is subject to a 10‑day appeal period.
The record for the application includes the staff report and the applicant’s submitted petitions. The commission’s approval applies only to the permit described in the staff report and the conditions attached to it; no other land-use approvals were made at this meeting.
