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Planning commission approves ABC Type 21 off-sale license for A & G Mart at 66425 Pearson Boulevard
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Summary
The Desert Hot Springs Planning Commission unanimously approved Conditional Use Permit 25-12, allowing A & G Mart to hold an ABC Type 21 off-sale (beer, wine and distilled spirits) license at 66425 Pearson Boulevard; staff said the license was transferred from a closed Rite Aid and will not increase the census tract's net license count.
The Desert Hot Springs Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve Conditional Use Permit 25-12, allowing A & G Mart to operate with an ABC Type 21 off-sale general license at 66425 Pearson Boulevard.
Associate Planner Evelada presented the staff report, saying the application seeks a finding of public convenience or necessity to permit off-sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits at the existing convenience market (APN 641041015). Staff said the proposed Type 21 license was transferred from a recently closed Rite Aid and therefore does not create a net increase in the census tract's alcohol licenses. Evelada recommended certifying a categorical exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) section 15301, class 1 (existing facilities) and approving CUP 25-12.
The planner detailed operational conditions: the store is designated downtown commercial, the alcohol display will be behind the counter using about 15 square feet of combined wall and floor space and roughly 3 square feet of cooler space, and storage will occupy about 5 square feet in the rear. Staff confirmed no schools, religious institutions or public parks lie within 500 feet of the premises under section 17.12.0.18198 and noted that city sign rules were enforced by removing additional window signage.
Applicant Alma Prather, owner of A & G Mart, introduced herself and described more than three years of operating the store and prior experience holding a Type 21 license at another location. She said employees are trained, two employees staff the store at night, and safety measures include an ADT alarm system, cameras and panic/hold-up buttons behind the counter and at the rear of the store. "We do take a lot of pride in our store and make sure that the safety of employees are met," Prather said.
Commission discussion focused on hours and access: staff confirmed permitted alcohol sales hours would be 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. even though the store is open 24 hours, and that alcohol will be non-accessible to customers overnight without staff assistance and ID checks.
Commissioner Parker moved to approve the permit; a second was called and the motion passed unanimously. The commission closed the public hearing and congratulated the applicant.
