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Council approves Manalo Farmers Market permit to add distilled spirits, with conditions to limit sales and on‑site consumption
Summary
After a public hearing and local opposition, the council approved a conditional use permit allowing the Manalo Farmers Market (303 Highland Ave.) to sell distilled spirits (ABC Type 21) with conditions including electronic age verification, lockable storage and explicit volume/size limits for spirits.
The council approved a modification to an existing conditional use permit that will let Manalo Farmers Market sell distilled spirits for off‑site consumption. Planning staff said the market has sold beer and wine under a CUP since 1990; the current request adds distilled spirits behind a locked counter and includes conditions intended to limit area impacts.
Staff review found a low police risk score and recommended standard conditions drawn from Council Policy 707, plus an updated condition from the Planning Commission requiring electronic age verification. Planning staff also incorporated recommendations from the Institute for Public Strategies — items such as litter removal, bilingual signage and no open containers on the premises.
Two residents testified in opposition, citing nearby accidents at the parking‑lot exit, an existing concentration of off‑sale liquor licenses and concern that customers might consume alcohol at adjacent food trucks. The council added a clarifying condition to make explicit that distilled spirit volumes and packaging are subject to the same size and sale restrictions the city has used for beer and wine, and that on‑site consumption in the parking lot will be prohibited.
"Who is going to enforce this or police this in the parking lot?" asked a resident who worried about enforcement. Planning staff said violations of the CUP (including consumption on site) would be subject to code enforcement and that the permit includes conditions to mitigate those risks.
Vote and next steps
The council approved the CUP on a roll‑call vote (unanimous). The conditions include electronic age checks, lockable storage behind the sales counter, limits on container sizes consistent with city policy and explicit prohibition of on‑site consumption.
The store must comply with all ABC requirements and the city will monitor compliance and enforce CUP conditions if violations are reported.
