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Commission approves beer-and-wine permit for 1718 South New Avenue after debate about overconcentration
Summary
Planning staff recommended and the commission approved CUP25‑016 to allow on‑site beer and wine at a small existing restaurant at 1718 South New Avenue (applicant Dongming Fang); commissioners debated the absence of a citywide plan for liquor‑license concentrations and discussed referring a study to city council.
The San Gabriel Planning Commission voted 4‑0 to approve planning case CUP25‑016, granting a conditional use permit to allow on‑site sale and consumption of beer and wine at 1718 South New Avenue (applicant: Dongming Fang), an existing restaurant unit approximately 882 square feet in size.
Assistant Director Samantha Stewart described the site, noting four existing parking spaces behind the restaurant accessible from Ralph Street, the unit’s floor plan and current hours of operation (5 p.m. to midnight, closed Tuesdays). She said the application seeks a Type 41 ABC license (on‑sale beer and wine only), that CEQA review was not required under the Class 1 exemption for existing facilities, and that the San Gabriel Police Department had recommended conditions similar to the earlier item (surveillance cameras and immediate notification to police of crimes on premises).
During deliberations, Commissioner Lee raised a broader policy concern about "overconcentration" of alcohol licenses in some neighborhoods and asked whether the city has a plan to limit or manage that concentration. Samantha Stewart and the city attorney replied that the city does not have an existing citywide program in place and that the planning commission could recommend to the city council that staff prepare a study or zoning amendment. The city attorney cautioned that the Brown Act prevents commissioners from conducting majority deliberations outside a posted agenda and advised that the proper route is to instruct staff to agendize a study or to ask the council to authorize staff work.
Commissioners discussed fairness to existing businesses and practical limitations under state alcohol licensing rules. After a brief deliberation the commission moved, seconded and approved the resolution to grant CUP25‑016 with the recommended conditions. Secretary Damien Sanchez called the roll and recorded four affirmative votes.
The approval allows on‑site beer and wine only (no distilled spirits) and requires the applicant to comply with the conditions included in the commission’s resolution and the police department’s recommendations. Any future policy work on license concentration would need to be agendized and authorized by the city council before staff could undertake a comprehensive mapping or zoning study.
