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Zoning Administrator approves two convenience-store alcohol permits and design review for rocket club addition in San Rafael
Summary
The Zoning Administrator approved public-convenience-and-necessity permits allowing two existing gas-station convenience stores in San Rafael to sell beer and wine and approved a design-review permit for a 10,880-square-foot accessory structure at a local rocket club; all approvals carry standard conditions and a five-business-day appeal window.
The San Rafael Zoning Administrator approved two requests on April 1 for existing convenience stores to sell beer and wine and granted design review for an accessory structure at a local rocket club, the administrator announced during a brief hearing.
Planner Renee Nickidid told the Zoning Administrator that the first request, for a convenience store on Del Presidio Boulevard, was for an already-permitted renovation and met the city council’s standard findings. "We did have comment from the police department that noted that there were zero reported crimes at this specific location," the staff planner said, and recommended approval with standard conditions including revocation if the use fails to comply with applicable laws and a requirement that any new signage obtain a separate permit.
The Zoning Administrator said she reviewed the project with staff and had no concerns, added that city staff rely heavily on the police department's determinations, and approved the permit subject to the findings and conditions. The administrator also noted that permits approved at the hearing are appealable within five business days and — if not appealed — take effect the following Wednesday.
On the second item, Planner Renee reported that the site at 921 Del Presidio Boulevard also met the standard findings but that the police department had recorded two reported crimes at that location within the last year related to alcohol. "The police did note those incidents," Renee said, but the department did not object to making the required PCN determination. The Zoning Administrator opened and closed public comment with no speakers and approved the PCN for 921 Del Presidio Boulevard with the same standard conditions and a sign-permit requirement for any expanded signage.
For the third item, staff described a design-review application for a new 10,880-square-foot accessory structure that would cover existing outdoor sport courts at an existing rocket club. Staff said the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Section 15303 (construction or conversion of small structures) and recommended approval. With no public comment and one member absent, the Zoning Administrator agreed there was no intensification of use and approved the design-review permit subject to findings and conditions.
All three approvals included the usual conditions, including the ability to revoke the permit for noncompliance and separate permitting requirements for signage or building permits. Staff said the decision documents would be published that afternoon. The Zoning Administrator adjourned the meeting at 10:10 a.m.
