Stockton Planning Commission Meeting – June 12, 2025

The Stockton Planning Commission met on June 12, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the City Council chambers. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, public comment, and a public hearing on a request to upgrade an alcohol license at a convenience store. The commission voted 5-1 to deny the upgrade.

Consent Calendar

• 25-0666 – Approval of the Planning Commission minutes from March 13, 2025. Motion carried 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Pat Barrett (District 6 resident) expressed concerns about truck traffic and infrastructure in the AB 617 area, requesting the commission be mindful of future permits that could worsen air quality and safety near Edison High School.
• Mary Elizabeth spoke in support of staff’s recommendation to deny the alcohol license upgrade. She questioned whether conditions from the original beer and wine permit had been monitored and whether the business had obtained a tobacco retail license. She also requested a GIS-based compilation of alcohol permit locations and conditions.

Discussion Items

• Item 5.1 – Request for Commission Use Permit and Waiver to Upgrade Off-Sale Alcohol License (10715 Trinity Parkway)
  • Staff Presentation: Senior Planner Arturo Carrasco explained that the applicant seeks to upgrade from off-sale beer and wine (Type 20) to off-sale general alcoholic beverages (Type 21). The project is located at a gas station/convenience store within the AG Spanos Master Development Plan area. The existing use permit for beer and wine was approved in 2016. The proposal does not meet two problem use restrictions: the crime reporting district (CRD 475) exceeds the citywide average by 372% (primarily retail theft), and the site is within 500 feet of another off-sale establishment (Chevron). The applicant requests a waiver. Staff recommended denial because the project does not meet required findings and could interfere with public welfare.
  • Applicant Presentation: Leslie Burnside (Barghausen Consulting Engineers) argued that the upgrade is needed to offset declining sales due to increased electric vehicles and reduced tobacco sales. She stated that many customers prefer to buy spirits locally rather than travel to big-box retailers. She presented a comprehensive security plan, noting the applicant’s 35-year clean ABC record and nine other well-run stations. She requested approval with a condition to return in one year for review, but acknowledged the complexity of revoking the permit if issues arose.
  • Police Input: Officer Lewis Porter provided crime data for the location: 69 calls for service over a two-year period (January 2023–January 2025), 12 resulting in crime reports including robbery, assaults, and stolen vehicles. The majority of crimes in the reporting district are retail theft-related. There were 36 DUI calls in the district during that period.
  • Commissioner Questions and Deliberation:
    • Commissioner Amen visited the site and observed no need for additional alcohol, noting multiple existing outlets nearby. She supported staff’s recommendation.
    • Chair Hull expressed opposition to adding more hard alcohol outlets, citing council’s direction to reduce alcohol availability.
    • Vice Chair Muetzenberg considered the one-year condition but, after discussion with the city attorney, acknowledged complications regarding revocation and reversion to the Type 20 license.
    • Commissioner Crowder asked about the risk of losing both licenses if the condition were imposed.
    • Commissioner Graves initially voted incorrectly due to a technical error; the vote was retaken.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 2025-06-12-0501 – Denying the Commission Use Permit and Waiver to upgrade to off-sale general alcoholic beverages, with a finding of categorical exemption from CEQA. Motion carried 5-1 (Yes: Hull, Graves, Amen, Sanguinetti, Crowder; No: Muetzenberg). The applicant has a 10-day appeal period to the City Council.
• Reports: Assistant Director Mike McDowell reported that the City Council approved a development code amendment on June 3. The final portion of the code will be developed with input from an ad hoc committee (Chair Sanguinetti, Commissioner Hull, Vice Chair Muetzenberg). The committee may also discuss crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) with police.
• Commissioner Comments: Commissioners welcomed new Commissioner Pandora Crowder. Vice Chair Muetzenberg disclosed a prior working relationship with Crowder through a nonprofit; the city attorney confirmed no conflict. Commissioner Amen advised new commissioners to ask questions and seek clarification.