Move of DT meat market, grocery approved by Planning Commission
May 27, 2016
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
A downtown meat market and grocery store got approval to move into new Downtown quarters Tuesday from the Planning Commission, which received several letters objecting to its continuing off-site sale of beer and wine.
Planning Director Janna Minsk told commissioners Mi Pueblito Meat Market is moving to a new location at 1072 E. Main St. where the owner, Armando Reyes, will make improvements to the building. The business is presently located at 148 So. Ojai St.
The 10,500 square foot building will undergo changes; two of the three existing businesses will leave to make room for theb market. Office and commercial space will be converted for the market and the exterior façade and parking lot will undergo improvements.
According to the report the proposed grocery store will include a produce section, dry goods, frozen foods, dairy products, meats, bakery and deli, and a dining area consisting of six tables. The off-site sale of beer and wine will occupy 250 square feet of refrigerated space at the rear of the store. The grocery store hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
Minsk told commissioners the reason they were considering the application is because a grocery store does require a Conditional Use Permit, as does the transfer of the existing beer and wine license to the new location.
“I think of interest to most of us is the city does have a concentration of licenses,” which prompted several letters including one from the Santa Paula Downtown Merchants Association that noted there are 10 businesses with off-site beer and wine licenses in the vicinity of the Downtown.
Said Minsk, “My response is this is not a new license,” for Mi Pueblito.
The new store location is “compatible with surrounding land uses,” encourages the expansion of business activity, is not near a school or church and meets all guidelines for such a CUP.
Reyes and his daughter — accompanied by almost two-dozen supporters — told commissioners that he lost his lease on Ojai Street and had the opportunity to purchase the East Main Street building.
“After going through this with a fine-tooth comb you have a nice project,” said Commissioner Mike Sommer. “I ask though why you have so many openings in the front?”
Reyes said the doors adhere to the present building configuration and would not all be opened.
“Just a comment — the existing building with the current use is an eyesore,” said Commissioner John Demers. “I want to congratulate,” Reyes for his plans for the business and building.
Added Demers, “I always appreciate small business owners,” and the investment they make.
Commissioners Fred Wacker and Fred Robinson as well as Commission Chair Gail “Ike” Ikerd agreed although the latter did note the objections to the beer and wine license.
When the issue goes to the City Council Minsk said there would be an enforcement agreement, and “I have not received anything from the police department about this project and problems in the area…”
Robinson said he was “kind of overwhelmed” by the number of off-site sales in the area, “over the numbers” based on population.
He asked if the California Bureau of Alcoholic Beverage Control is involved in the transfer of the license, noting “It’s a very interesting agency…does he have assurances there won’t be a problem?”
Robinson was told Reyes had spoken to ABC before he purchased the building.
“The primary business is a grocery store,” said Demers, “not a bar…keep that in mind.”
Sommer asked that language addressing the visibility of beer and wine signage be “tightened up” as it is “subjective” and could be misconstrued.
All commissioners voted to approve the application.
