San Leandro Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustments Meeting - February 27, 2026

The Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustments held a meeting on February 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Surlene Grant Community Room at City Hall. The meeting included approval of consent calendar items, public comments, two public hearings on zoning code amendments and a conditional use permit, and the election of a new Chair and Vice Chair. All seven commissioners were present.

Consent Calendar

• 25-464 Draft minutes of the May 1, 2025 meeting were approved with a vote of 6-0-1 (Commissioner Tabjulu abstained).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Larry Arnold, a long-time business owner on Washington Avenue, expressed concerns about traffic safety and signage at the entrance of the tunnel near 139th Avenue, urging the city to review signage for truck drivers unfamiliar with the neighborhood. He spoke during the public comments period for non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

• 7.A. Tobacco Zoning Code Amendments: Senior Planner Cindy Lemaire presented a resolution recommending the City Council adopt an ordinance modifying regulations on the sale of tobacco-related and e-cigarette-related products. Based on additional public engagement held in August 2025, staff revised the amendments to: allow tobacco sales as an accessory use for convenience stores, require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for new convenience stores in the BTOD zone (for consistency), and increase the maximum tobacco display area from 10 to 15 linear feet. Existing retailers are grandfathered as legal non-conforming uses if they do not have a gap in service exceeding 180 days. Commissioners discussed outreach timing and the impact on existing businesses. No public speakers. The motion to adopt the resolution passed 7-0.
• 7.B. Conditional Use Permit for Johnny's Bar Expansion: Associate Planner Anne Wong presented a request by applicant John David Harvey to expand the legal non-conforming bar (2,248 sq ft) by approximately 1,369 sq ft into the rear of the existing building at 1746 Washington Avenue (zoned DA-2). The expansion includes a kitchen, additional restrooms, office, storage, a new trash enclosure, and increased seating (one more pool table, three more tables). The bar will operate daily from 10:00 AM to 1:30 AM. Staff recommended approval with conditions including noise ordinance compliance, security cameras, and no trash pickup between 10 PM and 6 AM. The applicant answered questions about occupancy (estimated 70 people), community relations (neighbors are customers and can contact him directly), and anticipated security needs. No public opposition was received. The motion to approve the CUP passed 6-0-1 (Vice Chair Tejada abstained).

Election of Chair and Vice Chair

• Chair: Commissioner Zuber nominated Vice Chair Tejada for Chair. The motion passed 7-0, with the term to begin in January 2026.
• Vice Chair: Commissioner Tabjulu initially nominated Commissioner Rich, who withdrew and nominated Commissioner Mendoza. The motion to elect Mendoza as Vice Chair passed 7-0, with the term to begin in January 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved (6-0-1).
• Resolution recommending tobacco zoning code amendments adopted (7-0).
• Conditional Use Permit for Johnny's Bar expansion approved (6-0-1).
• Anthony Tejada elected as Chair and Luis Mendoza elected as Vice Chair, terms starting January 2026.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:56 PM.