San Dimas council approves remodeling and zoning changes for Via Verde 76 convenience store
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Summary
Council introduced ordinance 13-34 and adopted a resolution approving a remodel at the Via Verde 76 site (1790 S. San Dimas Ave.), removing a 1,000-square-foot sales-floor restriction for that specific plan area and allowing a parking-credit change tied to fuel pumps; approval came after public hearing and a 5–0 vote.
The City Council on Feb. 24 approved a remodel and related code amendments for the Via Verde 76 gas station and convenience store at 1790 South San Dimas Avenue, voting 5–0 to introduce ordinance 13-34 and adopt resolution 2026-16 after a public hearing and staff recommendation.
Staff (Director of Community Development Luis Tirico and senior planner Moore) explained two code amendments included in the proposal: removal of the specific-plan definition and 1,000-square-foot sales-floor cap that previously applied to this property, and a citywide adjustment to parking calculations that counts each gasoline pump as one-half parking space when associated with a convenience store. Under current measurements the building’s existing 3,220-square-foot footprint requires roughly 15 parking spaces; with the pump credit the site requires 11 spaces and currently provides 12, so staff said the site would remain in compliance.
Michael Ramirez, representing Beyond Food Mart and the applicant, told the council the company closed on the property in November and plans interior improvements (coffee machines, fresh produce, allergen-friendly items) without enlarging the building’s footprint; he said hours would be 24/7 and staff would add surveillance cameras, on-site employees and coordination with police. Ramirez said he had filed health-department plans and expected construction documents to follow if the council approved the project.
Speakers at the public hearing included residents who opposed and supported the project. Patrick Jones, a Via Verde resident, urged caution and recalled previous council fights over the 1,000-square-foot restriction; several students and nearby residents said they welcome improvements and expanded quick offerings. Planning Commission recommended approval 5–0.
Council members asked staff to confirm prior discussions that led to the original 1,000-square-foot cap, to verify parking calculations and shared-parking history with an adjacent senior-living property, and to examine whether the pump-credit could have broader citywide effects. Staff said the shared-parking agreement had not been recorded and that the proposed half-space-per-pump approach is conservative compared with nearby cities. The council approved the ordinance introduction and resolution and found the project CEQA-exempt under the existing-facilities exemption.
