Planning Commission approves Northgate Market patio expansion, extends ABC on-sale license to outdoor seating

The La Habra Planning Commission voted to approve modifications that will expand Northgate Market’s restaurant area into the Paseo Gonzales patio and extend the store’s type 47 California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) on‑sale license to the outdoor patio.

Senior planner Ashley presented the staff report, saying the change will expand the restaurant footprint from roughly 4,000 square feet to about 7,000 square feet and add 112 outdoor seats for a total proposed seating capacity of 198. "Staff recommends the planning commission approve the applicant's request to incorporate Paseo Gonzales into Northgate Market's designated restaurant space and extend the boundaries of the existing type 47 ABC license throughout the entire patio subject to the conditions of approval and the requirements enforced by ABC," Ashley said.

Steve Rawlings, a consultant for the applicant, told commissioners the applicant originally sought a smaller patio due to potential fire-access concerns but that staff later determined the expansion meets exit and spacing requirements. "We had always intended to be able to use the entire patio…staff, after analyzing it pretty carefully, had concluded that there is no fire access issue," Rawlings said, adding that interior construction is underway, most remodel work should be completed in September and the patio could open in October.

Commissioners asked about fencing and access points. The applicant said existing approximately 3‑foot fencing will be replaced with a 4‑foot solid plexiglass windscreen and clarified which gateways will serve as entrances versus exit‑only points. Building‑division staff explained that building permits were pulled only for items already approved by the commission and that any final seating count could be adjusted through building‑plan review.

Ashley said ABC identifies the census tract and recommends a maximum of six on‑sale licenses in the area; because the proposed change is an expansion ancillary to a seating increase, the total number of on‑sale licenses in the tract remains within that limit and no public convenience and necessity finding is required. The commission approved the item; the decision becomes final in 10 working days unless appealed to City Council.