Taft planning commission approves off-sale beer and wine permit for 431 Kern Street

The City of Taft Planning Commission voted 4-0 on March 4, 2026 to approve Conditional Use Permit 2026-01, allowing off-sale beer and wine (a Type 20 ABC license) at 431 Kern Street, the commission chair said.

Planning director Luke told the commission the permit — requested by applicant Zachary Brown — is required because the property lies in a census tract the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has deemed over-concentrated. Luke said the application therefore must proceed by conditional use permit and include findings of public convenience and necessity; staff recommended approval and included standard conditions in the draft resolution. "Staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit," Luke said.

Luke said the city had requested comment from the police chief in late January and had not received a response; "Typically, if they don't respond within, it's either 10 or 15 days ... then we take that as no comment from them," he said. The commission considered that absence of police comment and the staff report before the vote.

Applicant Zachary Brown thanked staff for assistance during the application process. "Just wanted to say thank you so much to Luke and Nadine for making it happen," Brown said during public comment.

The motion to adopt the resolution (mover and seconder on the record as a commissioner and seconded by another commissioner) recited the project address (431 Kern Street), zoning (Downtown Transit Mixed Use, DT-MU), APN 031-090-19-4, and the staff finding that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under the existing-facilities exemption. The commission approved the motion by roll call, recorded as a 4-0 vote.

In addition to the alcohol permit vote, the commission approved the meeting minutes by the same 4-0 margin and discussed scheduling for upcoming April and May hearings. The commission tentatively identified a representative to attend the March 17 city council meeting and adjourned after approving the evening's business.

What the commission approved does not authorize on-site drinking; the Type 20 ABC license applies to off-sale beer and wine only. The resolution includes standard conditions of approval required by Taft Municipal Code Section 6-12-5(b)(2) and the staff report outlines the findings the commission relied on for ABC-required public-convenience determinations.

The commission did not receive a written response from the police chief before the hearing, and staff said they would treat a late nonresponse as no comment per city practice. The planning director said hearings are tentatively scheduled for April and May and that staff would follow up on any unresolved conditions or required additional documentation.

Votes at a glance: • Conditional Use Permit 2026-01 (Type 20, off-sale beer and wine), 431 Kern Street (APN 031-090-19-4): motion adopted, roll-call vote recorded as 4-0 in favor. • Minutes (as printed): approved by the commission, recorded as 4-0 in favor.

Next steps: The approved CUP will carry the standard conditions listed in the resolution and any follow-up required by the resolution or ABC. The commission will monitor any subsequent administrative actions or appeals as required by local procedures.