Stockton Planning Commission Regular Meeting – February 10, 2022

The Stockton Planning Commission met on February 10, 2022, at 5:30 PM in City Council Chambers. Commissioners present: Brenda Jones, Waqar Rizvi, Brando Villapudua, Xavier Mountain (arrived 5:37 PM), Gerardo Garcia, and Jeff Sanguinetti. Chair Anne Mallett was absent (excused). The meeting covered a consent calendar item, public comments, a public hearing for a cannabis microbusiness use permit, election of commission officers, and informational reports.

Consent Calendar

• Item 3.1 (22-0131) – Resolution approving a Commission Use Permit to upgrade from off-sale beer and wine to general alcoholic beverages at an existing convenience store with gasoline sales at 620 West Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (P21-0790). The resolution was approved on a 4‑1 vote (Commissioner Jones voting no). A 10‑day appeal period applies.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On the consent calendar: A written comment from Mary Elizabeth urged denial of the liquor license upgrade, citing over‑concentration of liquor licenses in lower‑income neighborhoods and the site’s high crime reporting district.
• General public comment: An anonymous speaker expressed concern about the safety and neglect of the Miracle Mile area, mentioning a recent pedestrian accident and loss of confidence in city government.
• On the cannabis microbusiness item (5.1): Mark Yelland, a small business owner at 2473 Station Drive, opposed the application. He stated that high‑volume retail does not belong in an industrial park, cited safety and traffic concerns, and noted a similar proposal at nearby 2455 Station Drive was denied in October 2021.

Discussion Items

• Item 5.1 (22-0041) – Commission Use Permit to establish a cannabis microbusiness (retail storefront, distribution, and cultivation) in a 23,520 sq ft industrial building at 2479 Station Drive (P21-0597). The applicant, Monique Ramsey (Igniva Y C), presented a detailed plan including security, odor control, union jobs (UFCW), a living wage of at least $35,000/year, at least 50% local hiring, and community outreach. Staff recommended approval based on seven findings and CEQA exemption. Commissioner Sanguinetti raised concerns about parking congestion, the 400‑foot separation from an existing approved cannabis business (2401 Stagecoach, currently under appeal), and the applicant’s financial backing. The applicant agreed to add a condition for a congestion management plan. Commissioner Mountain noted the business’s own parking lot alleviates shared‑parking issues seen at the nearby denied site. After a community meeting held January 27, 2022 (no neighbors attended), no further neighborhood concerns were raised. The commission voted to approve the use permit with the added condition.
• Item 6.1 (22-0031) – Election of Planning Commission officers for the next 12 months. Commissioner Waqar Rizvi nominated Jeff Sanguinetti for Chair; seconded and approved 6‑0. Commissioner Rizvi then nominated Gerardo Garcia for Vice Chair; seconded and approved 6‑0.
• Reports & Communications: Director Ocasio noted the cannabis ordinance (including the Planning Commission’s recommended Option 4) will go to City Council on March 1, 2022, and offered the new Chair the option to rearrange seating on the dais.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved Resolution 2022-02-10-0301 (4‑1).
• Cannabis Microbusiness (Item 5.1): Approved Resolution 2022-02-10-0501 (6‑0) with an added condition requiring a congestion management plan to be submitted with building plans.
• Election of Officers: Jeff Sanguinetti elected Chair and Gerardo Garcia elected Vice Chair, each by 6‑0 votes.
• Next Steps: Appeals for both actions must be filed within 10 days; the cannabis ordinance will be presented to the City Council on March 1, 2022.