Desert Hot Springs planning commission approves two off‑sale alcohol permits for convenience stores

The Desert Hot Springs Planning Commission voted unanimously May 12 to approve two conditional use permits that will allow the off‑sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits at two convenience stores.

Evalada, the associate planner, presented the first item, Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 26‑1 for El Toro Loco at 13175 Palm Drive, saying staff recommended certification of a CEQA categorical exemption and approval of a finding of public convenience and necessity to permit a Type 21 ABC off‑sale general license. Evalada told the commission the existing market occupies about 3,882 square feet, alcohol display will use roughly 124 square feet, and storage for distilled spirits will occupy about 42 square feet. She said the project is located in Census Tract 0445.07 and reported the tract is authorized for four off‑sale licenses; "currently, nine such licenses have been issued for Census Tract Number 0445.07, of which only eight are actively operating, and only four of the six Type 21 ABC licenses are in operation," she said. She also noted two Type 21 licenses approved in 2026 were not yet operational pending ABC issuance.

The applicant, Tahar Hallum, thanked the commission and said the business had been looking in the area for about 20 years: "We're really excited," he said. A commissioner asked about the typical ABC processing time; a staff member explained there had been a delay "due to the fact that ABC had mistakenly believed that the city council had the approval authority, and actually, it's the planning commission that has the approval authority," after which processing should resume.

The commission then opened and closed the public hearing for CUP 26‑1 with no public speakers. Commissioner Parker moved to approve the permit and the motion passed unanimously.

The second permit, CUP 26‑2 for Maverick at 22745 Palm Drive, was presented by staff who said the site is in the Commercial Highway zoning district, received entitlements in March 2022 and completed construction Nov. 13, 2024. Staff said the site currently operates under a Type 20 license and would add approximately 21 square feet of shelf space for additional alcohol display; staff recommended certifying the same CEQA exemption (section 15301, Class 1) and approving CUP 26‑2. Steven Anderson, store manager, told the commission the new display would occupy an existing corner near where wine is already stored and that liquor would be kept in a locked cabinet outside sales hours.

A commissioner moved to approve CUP 26‑2; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Both approvals are subject to the conditions of approval in the staff reports. Next steps for both businesses include final ABC processing and issuance of the Type 21 licenses before any change in operations affected by those permits.