Paramount planning commission approves Sprouts’ permit to sell beer and wine with public-safety conditions

The Paramount Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit allowing Sprouts Farmers Market to sell beer and wine at its new store at 15121 Paramount Boulevard.

Associate planner Ivan Reyes told commissioners the request (Conditional Use Permit 986) would authorize beer and wine sales for off-site consumption under a Type 20 California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control license. Reyes said the development is on a 3.3-acre site formerly occupied by Lindsay Lumber and that Sprouts’ store footprint is roughly 23,000 square feet. He noted the census tract currently has two active alcohol licenses and that approval would increase the tract total to three. “This concludes my presentation, but I’m happy to answer any questions,” Reyes said.

The application drew neighborhood concerns about schools and loitering. A commenter identified in the record as Marta Miss Marine said she supports jobs from the new store but urged the commission to consider that the site is near schools and that previous liquor outlets in the area have attracted loitering and vandalism. “She’s concerned for the schools and then the area in which she lives in,” a translator summarized.

Terry Dickenhoff, representing Sprouts Farmers Market, clarified the grocery’s scale and described company loss-prevention and alcohol training protocols, saying alcoholic sales will be limited to beer and wine and will occupy roughly 2% of the store’s floor area. “It’s beer and wine only,” Dickenhoff said, adding that Sprouts maintains a loss-prevention department and trains employees on theft and underage-sale prevention.

Commissioners pressed about security and proximity to nearby elementary and junior high schools. Dickenhoff told the board he would set up a meeting between store management and the sheriff’s office and work with staff on outreach. Staff conditions require a submitted security plan, which Reyes said has already been reviewed by public safety staff.

Before the final vote commissioners added a finding stating that issuance of the license would serve public convenience and necessity. The commission then approved Resolution PC26001 granting Conditional Use Permit 986 with the stated conditions; roll call recorded Commissioners Esparza, Gonzales, Moody, Vice Chair Weisenberger and Chair Timmons as voting yes.

Next steps: the applicant will finalize its security coordination with the sheriff’s department and complete any outstanding conditions of approval required by Planning and Building prior to issuance of an ABC license and store opening, which the applicant said could occur around March–April.