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Planning Commission approves beer and wine service at Whittier Village Cinemas
Summary
The Whittier City Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing Whittier Village Cinemas to sell and serve beer and wine on site under a Type 41 ABC license, with conditions including staff ABC training and an alcohol sales cutoff at 10:00 p.m.
The Whittier City Planning Commission on March 16 unanimously approved Conditional Use Permit No. CUP25-0008 to allow the sale and on-site consumption of beer and wine at Whittier Village Cinemas (7038 Greenleaf Avenue).
Assistant Planner Crystal Arroyo presented the staff report recommending approval and said the project is categorically exempt from environmental review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Class I (Existing Facilities) because there would be negligible or no expansion of the existing use. Arroyo told commissioners there would be no changes to the theater’s floor plan or hours of operation as part of the permit.
Commissioners questioned how alcohol service would be monitored in a venue that serves minors. Kevin Franklin, an applicant representative for Starlight Cinemas, said the company’s other sites have operated with beer and wine service without violations, that “all staff would complete required ABC training,” alcohol sales would stop at 10:00 p.m., and theater staff would monitor exits to ensure patrons do not leave the premises with alcoholic beverages.
Commissioner Yvonne Connolly moved to adopt the resolution approving CUP25-0008 with conditions; Commissioner Todd Borzi seconded. The roll-call vote was recorded as follows: Borzi — yes; Connolly — yes; Cornejo — yes; Quirk — yes; Rodriguez — yes. The motion carried unanimously.
The permit allows Whittier Village Cinemas to operate under a Type 41 ABC license (beer and wine for on-site consumption) subject to the conditions in the adopted resolution, including monitoring and staff training requirements. No public comments were submitted during the hearing. The Commission’s action was final for the Planning Commission level; any ABC licensing action remains subject to review by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
