San Rafael zoning administrator approves beer sales at Arcade Zone with security, lighting and bike-parking conditions

Christina Estadio, principal planner and acting LEAGUE Administrator, approved a use permit on May 28 allowing Arcade Zone, at 75 Bellum Boulevard Suite H, to add beer sales to its arcade operations, subject to conditions including upgraded security, exterior lighting and a bicycle-parking plan.

Renee, the economic associate planner, presented the application and recommended approval, saying the proposed use complies with the San Rafael municipal code and the general plan and noting police-recommended security measures. "The police department previously reviewed the existing use and applied several conditions to increase security at the site, including interior security cameras and additional exterior lighting at the exterior," Renee said, and those conditions "will continue to be conditions of this approval." The planner told the hearing the business hours in the application are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and that alcohol would be served only by employees to patrons of legal age.

The applicant’s attorney, Darren Levoloff, asked whether the 11 p.m. closing hour could be extended; Renee said the municipal code sets 11 p.m. as the standard and that any extension would require a separate review before the Planning Commission. The applicant acknowledged he would need to pursue that separate process if he wanted later hours.

Renee clarified that the bicycle-parking requirement is for a submitted plan approved by the property owner rather than immediate installation because the storefront is part of a larger shopping center. She also said interior cameras and mirrors were noted as present in the submittal materials, while an exterior lighting design remained outstanding. The applicant said he had submitted a lighting plan previously but needed to re-submit it with additional design work: "I submitted to the city, but I think I need to do it again," he said.

Staff explained the business license had already been issued but that alcohol sales require an ABC license; the planner said the conditions must be satisfied prior to beginning alcohol service and that staff would sign the ABC license only after the required conditions (bicycle-parking plan, exterior lighting, and security measures) were completed. "Those security measures do need to be put in place prior to the beginning of alcohol service," the planner said.

There were no public comments. Estadio announced approval "subject to the findings and the conditions of approval," and noted an appeal period of five business days; if no appeal is filed the decision will take effect on the sixth day. The planner and applicant exchanged brief confirmations of next steps and the item was closed.

The immediate next steps are for the applicant to coordinate with the property owner on a bicycle-parking plan, finalize and re-submit an acceptable exterior lighting design, and confirm installation of security measures; staff will sign the ABC license after verifying those conditions are met. If an appeal is filed within five business days the decision will be stayed pending appeal.