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Larkspur planning panel approves beer-and-wine sales at Magnolia Avenue gas station
Summary
The Larkspur Planning Commission on July 14 approved a conditional use permit allowing beer and wine sales inside a convenience store at 600 Magnolia Avenue, after the applicant agreed to operational safeguards including no single-can sales and standard ABC-required ID checks. Vote: 4-0.
On July 14 the Larkspur Planning Commission voted 4-0 to approve a conditional use permit allowing beer and wine to be sold inside a convenience-store space at 600 Magnolia Avenue, a former service bay that the commission approved for interior conversion last year.
The planning director told commissioners the sale of beer and wine at a gas station triggers both state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) oversight and a local conditional use permit, and staff recommended approval with standard conditions.
The applicant, who did not give a name at the hearing, described the planned layout and several safeguards. “We are dedicating the first three or four cooler doors closest to the cashier so it's right in front of the cashier,” the presenter said, adding that registers will prompt ID verification and the point-of-sale system will require scanning a license for alcohol purchases. He said the store will avoid single-can sales: “Basically, it's all gonna be packed of 3, 6, or 12… so that way, when somebody tried to get one, they can't.”
Commissioners pressed on proximity of alcohol displays to the cash register and the municipal requirement (and related Business and Professions Code provisions) that off-sale alcohol not be displayed within certain distances of the register and door. Commissioners also noted that state ABC rules require employee training and decoy testing.
A motion to approve project BLN26-014 (design review and conditional use permit) carried on a roll-call vote of 4-0. The commission recorded its support for adding conditions that reflect the applicant's voluntary steps (no single sales) and compliance with state law on employee age and ABC training. The director noted any future problems with the CUP could be brought back before the commission for reconsideration.
