Lodi planning commissioners approve alcohol permit for neighborhood restaurant expansion

Lodi — The Lodi Planning Commission voted Dec. 10 to approve Use Permit PL2025-016 authorizing a Type 41 ABC license (on-site sales of beer and wine incidental to meals) for a restaurant expansion at 606 West Lockford Street. The commission’s motion, which included a CEQA exemption finding under Section 15061(b)(3), passed 5-0.

Staff presentation noted the expansion would move much of the pizza production into the adjacent parcel, increase kitchen capacity, and add indoor and potential outdoor seating to reduce queuing at the existing corner location. Staff said the expanded space would include a front seating area and that a pickup window on the west side could be added later; there would be no drive-through. Staff also summarized police records showing two calls for service at the currently vacant parcel in the last year and five calls at the existing restaurant; the police review raised no objection to the site being occupied as a restaurant with an ABC license.

Supporters included the applicant, who identified herself as one of four owner-operators. “We are excited about the excitement of the expansion,” the applicant said, and presented staff-licensed responsible beverage servers for the current operation. Staff said employees currently park at a nearby strip‑mall lot and that public works would require frontage and ADA walkway improvements as needed.

Neighbors raised concerns during public comment about parking, driveway blockages and nuisance behavior. Deborah Tovar, who lives three houses from the corner, said customers sometimes eat and drink from vehicles and knock on her door; she asked for permit parking and “more cooperation with the restaurant.” Sarah Okazaki, who lives directly across the street, said she had called police repeatedly about blocked driveways and that previous neighborhood petitions for permit parking reached roughly 70% support but fell short of a 75% threshold discussed in past city processes.

In response, city staff described prior enforcement steps: public works and police checked the area, undercover and uniformed patrols reviewed compliance, community improvement officers monitored conditions, and staff issued one citation months earlier for a vehicle encroaching a driveway. Staff said investigators were unable to identify ongoing code violations during that review.

A commissioner moved to adopt the resolution finding the project CEQA-exempt, determining public necessity and convenience, and approving Use Permit PL2025-016 to allow a Type 41 ABC license at 606 West Lockford Street subject to the resolution’s findings and conditions; the motion was seconded and carried on a recorded vote of five yes, zero no.

The permit approval includes the standard conditions described in staff materials and requires any structural changes (for example, canopy modifications to accommodate a pickup window) to be permitted and reviewed by building and public works prior to construction. The commission closed the public hearing and approved the permit; no amendments to the staff recommendation were recorded at the hearing.