Planning commission recommends council deny coastal-zone rule change to let gas stations sell beer and wine

The Redondo Beach Planning Commission on May 21 voted to recommend that the City Council not adopt an ordinance that would allow "general food sales" (a category that includes beer and wine under the Business and Professions Code) at service stations in the coastal zone.

Staff presented the item at the start of the public hearing. Sean Scully, the city's planning manager, said the council on Jan. 13 had directed staff to pursue code amendments to allow general grocery sales at coastal-zone service stations. Assistant to the city manager Luke Smooty told commissioners the proposal would mirror rules already adopted for inland sites in 2023 and would keep a number of local limits: only beer and wine (no liquor), a cap on retail space, locked coolers when alcohol is not on sale, a ban on single-serving alcohol containers, no drive-through alcohol sales and the ability to add site-specific conditions through a conditional-use permit (CUP).

"General food sales ... include beer and wine," Smooty said, and staff described the CUP process as the mechanism to control hours and site conditions.

Commissioners raised questions about public-safety evidence and whether the limited experience in the inland zone (one station, Mickey's Deli on Artesia Boulevard) provided a reliable sample. Smooty said the police department-provided statistics he reviewed did not show identifiable alcohol-related incidents tied to that particular address since it received its CUP, but several commissioners said that outlet had been open only a few months and the data set therefore was limited.

Commissioner Hazeltyne argued the commission had spent "hours deliberating and presenting research and data" when it opposed similar changes in 2023 and warned of harms if alcohol sales were expanded near beach and pier areas. "We know we have increase in violence," Hazeltyne said, adding concerns about auto accidents and other alcohol-related consequences. Several commissioners pointed to the high density of existing alcohol retail in the Torrance Boulevard/PCH area and questioned whether another point-of-sale would provide a distinct public benefit.

Commissioner Conroy moved that the commission recommend council adopt the ordinance and determine it exempt from CEQA; Conroy said the CUP process would prevent an automatic entitlement and allow site-specific safeguards. After extended debate a separate motion — to adopt a staff-prepared resolution recommending denial that mirrored the commission's 2023 findings — was put forward and seconded.

On a roll-call vote the commission adopted the denial resolution. The clerk recorded five votes in favor of denial (Commissioners Light, Boswell, Young, Gattis and Hazeltine) and two opposed (Commissioner Conroy and Chair Wayne Craig). As a recommendation-only body the planning commission's action does not change the municipal code; the item will be forwarded to the City Council for its consideration and, if the council approves, eventual Coastal Commission review would be required before any code changes affecting the coastal zone take effect.

The ordinance text and staff report cited the California Environmental Quality Act in proposing CEQA findings; the staff presentation referenced the Business and Professions Code and Alcohol Beverage Control rules as the statutory and regulatory frameworks that define what counts as "beer and wine" and set minimum statewide requirements. The commission's denial resolution cites prior evidence and public-safety findings in its recitals.

Next steps: the commission's recommendation will be included in the administrative record sent to the council. If the City Council chooses to adopt any code change, staff reminded the body that the Coastal Commission would also need to certify amendments affecting the coastal zone before local changes become enforceable.