Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Alcohol Licensing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Owner of Sage cafe wins Planning Commission approval to serve beer and wine
Summary
The Covina Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit and site plan review allowing Sage cafe to offer on-site beer and wine service, with commissioners emphasizing small-business support and limiting concerns about extending hours. The decision is subject to a 10-day appeal period.
The Covina Planning Commission on Feb. 24, 2026 approved Conditional Use Permit CUP 25-7 and Site Plan Review SPR26-13 to allow on-site sale of beer and wine at Sage, a longtime neighborhood eating establishment, by adopting Resolution 26-2 PC and finding the project exempt from CEQA.
Assistant Planner Eduardo Lomely described the site as a 1,600-square-foot tenant space in a C-2 commercial zone and said the property provides 28 parking stalls, exceeding the zoning chapter’s requirement of 16 spaces for the combined floor area. "At this time, staff recommends that the planning commission adopt resolution 26 dash 2 PC, approving conditional use permit 25 dash 7 and site plan review 26 dash 13, subject to the conditions of approval and making a determination of exemption under CEQA," Lomely said.
The applicant, who identified herself as the owner of Sage, told commissioners the cafe aims to add limited brunch beverage options such as mimosas to remain competitive. "We just want to pull an application just to offer mimosas... it would definitely increase our sales and... make us a lot more competitive in the brunch industry compared to other restaurants," the owner said, adding the business intends to keep largely daytime hours and may consider extending to about 6 p.m. only if conditions allow.
Commissioner Richardson said he has visited Sage and supports the proposal given the proposed hours. Commissioners noted nearby 24-hour off-sale alcohol sales at an adjacent business but said the cafe’s stated hours made them comfortable with approval. A motion adopting staff’s recommendation was moved and seconded; the commission approved the permit and site plan review by roll call vote 4-0 with one commissioner absent.
Staff read a ten-day appeal period into the record. The approval allows the owner to proceed with implementing the conditions of approval; any appeal must be filed within the stated appeal window. The Planning Commission’s action concludes the local land-use review stage; any required state licensing (for on-sale alcohol permits) would follow separate state Alcoholic Beverage Control procedures.
