Walnut Creek Planning Commission Meeting — September 24, 2026

The Walnut Creek Planning Commission met on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 1666 North Main Street, Walnut Creek, with Chair Pamela Nieting presiding. Six commissioners attended; Commissioner Brendan Moran was absent. The Commission took action on the consent calendar and held one public hearing on a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) requested by Chevron Stations Inc. for concurrent sales of alcoholic beverages and gasoline at the Chevron Extra Mile station, 2895 North Main Street. The Commission voted 6–0 to approve the CUP via Resolution No. 4025. No public comments or ex-parte communications were received.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of the September 10, 2026, meeting minutes: motion by Commissioner Ken Strongman, seconded by Vice Chair Molly P. Clopp, carried unanimously (6–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public commented on the consent calendar or the public hearing; the Chair noted that no speaker cards were submitted.

Public Hearing: Chevron Concurrent Sales of Gas & Alcohol — CUP Application (Y2619; staff stated Y26019)

• Staff presentation: City staff member Gerardo Victoria recommended approval of the CUP and a Categorical Exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). The project site is zoned Service Commercial (S-C) and is developed with an existing 2,064-square-foot convenience market with gasoline sales. A 1968 Board of Zoning Adjustment use permit to Standard Oil predated concurrent alcohol sales; concurrent sales now require a CUP. The draft resolution contained the standard and additional findings.
• Project and security attributes described by staff and applicant: 24-hour operation; 2–4 employees per shift; approximately 39-square-foot alcohol display area; alcohol sales prohibited and inventory locked after 2 a.m., enforced via register-scanning; 12–15 security cameras with 30-day video retention; no-loitering and no-open-container signage; and employee ABC (alcohol) training.
• Applicant testimony: Steve Rawlings, representing Chevron Stations Inc., agreed with the staff recommendation and all draft conditions. He explained that the store holds a Type 20 (beer and wine) license but requires a Type 21 license to sell popular ready-to-drink (RTD) products, some of which are distilled-spirits-based; a failed state bill that would have redefined the alcohol-by-volume measurement kept these products under the Type 21 requirement. He noted Chevron Stations Inc. operates more than 300 stores in California, about 140 of which sell alcohol, and that this store had no police issues; Type 21 licenses are purchased on the open market and can cost up to approximately $250,000 (e.g., in Sonoma County), which is why not every Chevron sells alcohol. He said the plan is to replace some beer and wine inventory with RTDs without adding floor area.
• Commission discussion: Commissioners asked about neighborhood safety and access to alcohol, the 2 a.m. cutoff (verified through two-method enforcement), the small display size, and the difference between Type 20 and Type 21 licenses. A commissioner thanked the applicant for the detailed business plan and the store's clean police record.

Reports & Announcements

• Commissioner Khaund noted that she attended a Habitat for Humanity event and thanked city staff and City Council for collaborating with the nonprofit on a project for the city.

Key Outcomes

• Motion by Vice Chair Molly P. Clopp, seconded by Commissioner Ken Strongman, to adopt Resolution No. 4025 approving the CUP: carried unanimously with six votes. YEAS: Brandt Andersson, Cherise Khaund, Ken Strongman, Steven Kwok, Molly P. Clopp, Pamela Nieting. Commissioner Moran was absent.
• Note on record discrepancy: The application number appears as "Y2619" in the agenda, the Chair's introduction, and the motion, while staff stated it as "Y26019" during the presentation.