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Planning commission approves permit allowing beer and wine at new West Dearte restaurant
Summary
The Monrovia Planning Commission approved Conditional Use Permit CU 2026-00002 allowing Dao XO Sushi and Saki at 917 West Dearte Road to sell beer and wine indoors under conditions that limit hours and alcohol sales and require food service with alcoholic beverages.
The Monrovia Planning Commission on April 15 approved Conditional Use Permit CU 2026-00002 to allow on-site indoor sale and service of beer and wine at Dao XO Sushi and Saki, a proposed 62-seat Japanese restaurant at 917 West Dearte Road. The commission voted unanimously on a motion to approve staff-recommended conditions.
Staff planner Chelsea told commissioners the application seeks a Type 41 ABC license for beer and wine and described the location as inside the Monarch Shopping Center between South Fifth Avenue and Enino Avenue, adjacent to residential properties and within 500 feet of the Monasuri Academy of Arcadia. The restaurant would offer indoor dining only, including a six-seat sushi bar, and is undergoing tenant improvements. Proposed hours are Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Staff noted this site was previously occupied by Mackey's Noodle House and has been vacant since May 2025. The Development Review Committee reviewed the project on Feb. 18, 2026 and recommended that staff verify consistency of hours with other alcohol-serving tenants in the center. Chelsea said two other restaurants in the shopping center serve alcohol until midnight, and staff concluded the proposed hours were substantially earlier and likely to have little impact.
Conditions attached to the permit include limiting alcohol service to the indoor dining area only, requiring alcohol be served only with food, capping quarterly alcohol gross sales at 33% of total gross sales, keeping storefront windows unobscured and visible to emergency responders, and allowing DRC authority to modify hours if warranted. Staff recommended approval with those conditions.
No members of the public testified for or against the permit during the hearing. After brief deliberation, a commissioner moved to approve the CUP with the conditions outlined in the staff report; the motion passed on roll call with Commissioners Austin, Janisk, Rose, Sheffller, Stahhira, Vashani and Chair Brown voting yes.
Chair Brown noted that planning commission decisions may be appealed to the City Council if a written appeal is filed with the city clerk within 10 days and that an appeal fee applies. The permit approval allows the applicant to proceed with the tenant improvements and operational preparations subject to the conditions described by staff.
