Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. We're going to go ahead and get started with our meeting. We're going to open it up with the pledge, and we're going to have Commissioner Shaw Williams lead us in our pledge.

Ready, begin.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I'm secretary. Could you be here to roll call?

Commissioner Fowler here Commissioner rice here Commissioner Shaw Williams here Chairman Springs here any communications from staff.

I

Yes, Chair. First and foremost, before Arturo speaks on behalf of the department or the division, I would like to formally and publicly congratulate Mr. Arturo Salazar as our new planning division planning manager. Morton's. Yeah, Morton's. So you just pick the date and let him know he got his credit card ready. But we are extremely proud of Art and his leadership and excited about what he's going to continue to do and the path that the planning division is going to be moving under his tenure. So congratulations again, Art, and we look forward to watching you continue to develop.

Congratulations art.

Thank you Yes chairman staff is requesting that item 6 a be continued to the Planning Commission meeting on October 7th Also items 6 B and 6 D on the agenda have been pulled by staff and will be renoticed for the September 2nd Planning Commission meeting.

My question would be on this Article 6A you said will be postponed?

Continued to the October 7th Planning Commission meeting.

And 6B?

6B and 6D on the agenda. We pulled it and will be re-noticed for the September 2nd Planning Commission meeting.

Okay, so there's no... vote on that or just, it's just okay. Very good. Thank you. Okay.

All right.

Public comments. Anyone wishing to address the planning commission on any items other than the public hearing may do so at this time hearing, seeing none, we're going to close that segment. And I'd like to get a motion on the minutes for July 1, 2026.

Motion approval for the minutes of July 1st, 2026. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded for the approval of the minutes for July 1, 2026. Call for any questions? Hearing none, we'll call for a vote.

Commissioner Fowler? Aye. Commissioner Rice? Aye. Commissioner Trejo? Aye. Commissioner Shell-Williams? Aye. Chairman Springs? Aye.

Madam Secretary? First Regent Dino.

Item 6C, a public hearing to consider an application by Jenna Spivey representing 7-11 Inc. for special use permit number 2600016, SUP 2600016, to allow the off-site sale of distilled spirits in an existing one-story, approximately 3,400 square foot commercial building on a C2 general commercial zone property at 837 South Prairie Avenue.

Chairman, the project file is present. Notice has been given in a time and place as required by law. Planning has received no written communications regarding this item. Planner Angel Leon Martel is present to give a short presentation.

Good evening, Chairman Springs and members of the Planning Commission. The applicant submitted an updated floor plan. The proposed freestanding alcohol storage was relocated and copies were placed on the dais and should be in front of you. The subject site for the special use permit is located within the commercial recreational general plan area and is zone C2 or commercial recreation. On April 8th, 2024, a certificate of occupancy was issued for an approximately 3,400 square foot commercial building to be used as a laundromat. On August 5th, 2020, the planning commission approved special use permit number 2020-007 to allow the sale of beer and wine for offsite consumption from a proposed convenience market. In August 2021, a building permit was finalized approving tenant improvements to convert the existing commercial building into a 711 and a business license was approved by the planning division. The subject site is located at the northwest corner of Prairie Avenue and Arborvita Street and is developed with an existing 3,400 square foot single tenant commercial building. Properties to the north, south, and west are also zoned C2 and are developed with a variety of commercial uses. Property to the east is zoned HPSP and is the site of the Hollywood Park Tomorrow development. The building features two pedestrian entrances. The primary entrance is along Prairie Avenue and the secondary service entrance is located along Arborvita Street with no proposed changes to the ingress or egress of the site. Parking for the convenience market is located on site with surface parking accessed along Prairie Avenue and Arborvita Street. There are no changes to the required on-site parking. and tonight the applicant is seeking approval for the off-site sale of distilled spirits. The 7-Eleven store contains approximately 1,750 square feet of merchandise sales area. Additionally, there is a 266 square foot back room, a 278 square foot sales support area, a 57 square foot office, a 72 square feet of storage, and restrooms. The remaining floor area includes the checkout area, storage, and office space. The majority of the floor area will be dedicated to the display of everyday grocery and household items. This includes milk, juice, bread, cereal, chips, canned food, and toiletries. which will be arranged on shelving units and wall displays throughout the store. A convenience market will also offer freshly prepared food items such as sandwiches, salads, and bakery products. 7-Eleven currently holds a Type 20 alcohol license, authorizing the off-site sale of beer and wine. Beer and wine are currently offered in refrigerated coolers located at the rear of the store and within one freestanding display, all of which will be locked at all times and opened by an employee upon customer request. The proposed hours of operation for the store are 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The applicant is proposing that alcohol sales be limited between the hours of 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. daily. The proposed distilled spirit inventory includes vodka, whiskey, rum, tequila, and gin. Distilled spirits will be stored in a locked five square foot display case shown on the floor plan and here on the screen with the blue arrow pointed to it. The cabinet will only be accessible by store employees with products provided to customers upon request. There will be three employees working the convenience market at all times. The site is equipped with 32 interior and exterior security cameras. The State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, or ABC, allows three off-sale licenses for this tract, census tract. There are currently four off-site sale licenses, including the existing beer and wine license for this site. According to ABC, a public convenience and necessity finding is not required as the site is not located within a high crime district and the business has an existing off-sale type license. The planning division has received crime statistics for the subject site and it was included in your staff report as an attachment. The statistics show the site has experienced a decrease in crime rate between years 2023 through 2025, with six incidents in 2023, eight in 2024, and five in 2025. There is a mural located along the west building elevation. A condition has been included in the resolution, which states that the applicant will apply for design review if they choose to keep the mural. As condition, the proposed project will serve as an enhancement to the neighborhood setting and will continue to be compatible with the surrounding area. The site is developed in accordance with existing zoning and development standards for C2 zone properties. No comments were received for against the project. Project is consistent with the commercial residential land use designation. Categorical exemption has been filed and the project is exempt from further environmental review. This concludes my presentation. I'm available to answer the questions the commission might have, and the applicant is here tonight to answer your questions as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Angel. Good report. We're going to open up for questions for you. We're going to start off with Commissioner Fowler.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No questions, Angel. Thank you. Mr. Chair.

Commissioner Rice.

My questions are for the applicant.

Commissioner Trejo.

Well, I'm going to ask my question. I'm not sure if you can answer it. If not, then the applicant is hopefully here that they perhaps can answer it. Is there a limitation on the sizes of the distilled spirits?

Yes. They cannot serve basically shot glass type.

Like the kind they serve in the airlines?

That's correct.

Okay. Is there a condition? I didn't read that condition.

It might not be included as a condition specifically. No.

It can include as a condition. That didn't occur to me until you started making the presentation.

So thank you for the presentation.

Another question I have is condition.

Mm-hmm.

Condition number two under under use conditions That currently reads That no beer and wine shall be displayed within five feet of the cash register or public entrance Should we add distilled spirits to that?

Yes, we could definitely amend that.

Okay, because that also I think helps with not being able to sell those airline size bottles. And then under operation conditions number seven, that says there shall be no loitering, the store operator shall not allow any patrons to remain on the premises, nor shall they direct them to loiter to loiter or consume alcohol?

My question is more on the hanging out or loitering.

Because I wanted to see what the atmosphere was like during the World Cup. On the last game, I left my house early and drove by Prairie. And I passed by 7-Eleven. And there was a lot of people in the parking lot. And there was a booth either selling or giving away something. I don't know if they were souvenirs or what. But my question, and I thought to myself, wow, what a great location. I thought, you know, a lot of customers. But when I read this, is it to discourage that sort of thing? Or how does that relate?

This condition is so that people don't purchase alcohol, then go to their cars, hang out in the area, go back inside the store, purchase alcohol, and then just keep that cycle just continues, basically. The license is specifically for off-site consumption, so that means that they're not allowed to drink on premises. You're supposed to purchase alcohol and then take it home.

Yeah, well, you and I know that, but my concern is, you know, that's why I was asking about the airline size, because you can buy those, you can just shoot it down your throat, and then, you know, as you're even walking out. Anyway, that's my question on that. I don't.

At least it's there.

So if there is a problem, then we can use that condition to bring it to their attention. Okay. Thank you. That's it for me right now.

Commissioner Shaw-Williams.

I just have a question. It says all owners, managers, and employees selling alcohol, alcoholic beverages and Of course, it must be 21 years or older. So each and every employee has to go through this certified training program. Is that correct? No employee can work at 7-Eleven unless they go through this program?

Right. That's my understanding based on the state requirements.

Okay. So if you have a manager that's working that day and he has his certification and an employee, Is it possible that employee may not have their certification in going through the process?

I'm just kind of... That I'm not too sure of, but I don't think they would be able to sell alcohol. Yeah.

Okay, but there is always someone there who is certified.

Yes, all the staff who is basically going to work there and sell alcohol should have that training, basically. Yeah, I guess it's possible that, like you said, where they're a new hire and maybe they're going through the training, it might be possible that they're getting that certification.

As long as there's someone on site that has a certification.

But there will always be three employees on site.

All right. Yeah. No further questions.

Okay. I have no questions. I'll generate my questions to the applicant. Thank you very much.

Good evening, Bruce Evans for 7-Eleven. The franchisee, Amin, texted me. He's on his way, but I'm not sure he's going to make it since we started so quickly. So I'll speak for him and tell you a little bit about the store and how long he's had the store.

We start on time.

FIRST OFF, THANK YOU TO ANGEL AND THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR RESPONSIVENESS AND PROFESSIONALISM THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS. BEFORE WE EVER FILED FOR THIS CUP, THE FIRST THING WE DID IS WE REACHED OUT TO THE INGLEWOOD PD. WE SPOKE TO SERGEANT JARAMILLO. HE CONFIRMED THAT THE INGLEWOOD PD HAD NO INITIAL OPPOSITIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THIS REQUEST, AND THEN WE PROCEEDED FORWARD. WE ALSO SPOKE TO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AS WELL BEFORE WE EVER FILED THIS REQUEST. In short, I don't have anything to add to the staff report. I think it's comprehensive and accurate. This is a very modest request. The distilled spirits upgrade of the license will be limited, as Angel said, to an approximate four foot wide shelf. That'll be away from the door. It'll be locked, only accessible to store employees. Even with the spirits, we're still going to be less than 2% of the display area in that store for alcohol. So again, very minimal overall. One thing I would point out is that the staff report mentions that the CUP was approved in 2021. This store actually has been open as a 7-Eleven since at least 1988. It just relocated from across the street. Amin, the franchisee, has been at this store for 32 years. He started working as an employee in the 80s. A couple years later, became a partner in the business, and he's been there ever since. As far as the conditions goes, to answer some of the Commissioner's questions, we're happy to agree to a condition that makes clear that no airplane-sized liquor bottles shall be sold. I'm not a fan of that size. It just only leads to problems, in my view, and we're happy to agree to that condition. With respect to the training, there is not a state law requirement for alcohol-related training, but it's a good idea. 7-Eleven has their own training. They call it Come of Age. It was previously certified by the state, but then the state stopped certifying training conducted by businesses because the state ran out of the funding to do that. But so what we do is we send all employees, in addition to the in-house training, we send them to the ABC, what they call the lead training. And that's an online class. It takes a few hours to do it. It's offered in modules. and that is a certified training program. So in California, all restaurants and bars have to send their employees to the state training, but it's not currently a requirement for retail stores, but we will do it. And I'm happy to answer any questions if there are any. And again, the store's been open a long time. I'm sure you're aware of it. It's a very well-maintained upscale of the 7-Eleven, and thank you for your consideration.

Okay, very good. Thank you. We're going to open up questions for you, sir. With Commissioner Fowler, you can start off the questioning, please.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Well, Mr. Evans, you did answer several of my questions. I was concerned how long this had been a business. Then I remembered that store had been there. I just didn't know if it was the same franchisee. So is that Mr. Spivey?

No, Ms. Spivey works with me. The franchisee is named Amin. Who is the franchisee? His name is Amin. Amin? Yes.

OK, and so this would be definitely considered one of our legacy businesses. You answered the length of time.

Microphone, please.

The parking.

Microphone. Oh, parking.

Talk a little about the parking, because I'm coming back to my colleague's comment about when we have huge events. How many parking spaces do you have?

Oh, I have to look at the plan. There's a lot of parking in that store. I can count them up for you.

And how do you manage that when there are huge events so that it's just your customers?

Sure. Well, so going back to the loitering, the definition, as I recall, of loitering is no legitimate business purpose. So we all know what loitering is. It's somebody hanging out, panhandling, has no reason to be there. They're not a customer. So the store conducts regular outside checks, makes sure that the premises is clean, makes sure nobody's there. And they ask them to leave. And if they don't leave, they call the Inglewood PD. That has not been a historic problem at this location. As far as the gatherings go and events like the World Cup, That would be different because there is probably some sort of event-related activity, some sort of sponsored activity. So they'd have to control it, of course, so as not to be a nuisance. But it wouldn't generally be loitering for something like that.

Thank you for answering the training. I do know that the state does require any employee that's going to be dealing with alcohol to complete that training. So thank you for addressing that. I have no further questions, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Commissioner Rice.

This question may be for staff or for the applicant. Is anyone aware of the other three operations or liquor sewers in this census track and what their hours of operation are?

There are some. The nearest one is just north of Prairie. I'm not sure what their hours of operation are, though. It is outside of 500 square feet, and then the other two are located there along Manchester, near the corner of Manchester and Prairie. I'm not sure what the hours are.

I'm going to ask a question of the applicant. The reason I ask that question, I'm concerned about an alcohol sale happening at 1.30 in the morning. And if I'm buying alcohol at 1.30 in the morning, I don't think I'm buying it for an event that's going to be happening tomorrow. I think that's going to be consumed probably after my purchase, whether that makes it home or it's in the car or after an event. It's just during the, when we have these event centers and we have Clubs and bars and those types of operations will have a last call and maybe that's midnight 1 o'clock and then after that you can't sell any alcohol which gives folks an opportunity to potentially Consume some food or just let that alcohol wear off a little bit before you get in your car If I buy it at 1 30 at 7-eleven, I'm gonna consume it there. I'm potentially gonna drive Right after what's your thought?

Sure. I understand the concern. The 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., that's the state default of what's permitted by the state.

I can't quite hear you.

I'm sorry. Sure. I understand the concern. The 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. alcohol sales hours are what's permitted as the default under state law. The studies are consistent on this, that people that are buying alcohol from retail locations are not Of course, they're not consuming it there because that's not allowed under the law. They're going to get in the car and go home. So DUIs generally, and the evidence support this, do not come from retail stores. They come from people that are going to or from bars and restaurants. So the hours are important to maintain at this 7-Eleven. That's the hours that they've had for over 32 years is a 24-hour use with alcohol sales from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. I understand the concerns. Those are not the hours that I would keep and that I would purchase alcohol, but many people in the public do, and that is important for the brand to maintain those hours.

No further questions, Chairman.

Mr. Trejo?

To piggyback on my colleague's comment about the time and your explanation of the hours at the site, I think this particular 7-Eleven is unique, different from many of, say, the 7-Eleven close to my neighborhood. And I think the argument that you're using, if you're buying it that late, you're going to drive home. I think in this instance, since we have so many events, and a lot of them are late events, correct me if I'm wrong, but many of them are late events, that there is the potential of people being happy and excited about leaving a fabulous event and they want to continue celebrating and they could potentially buy a bottle and share it in the car as they're driving home, including the driver. That's my concern about the argument that you presented. Because I really do think this is a unique location just because of where it's located, right across the street from... and right across the street from the Hollywood Park project there. And again, based on what I saw at the World Cup event just driving by, how popular it is. And it's well-maintained. It's top-notch. But I think because of that, that you have that potential.

I understand, and I'm not trying to avoid the question. There's legal behavior. There's legal selling hours. And unfortunately, there's always going to be some people that use bad judgment and don't follow the law. But historically, this location has a very low crime rate, which actually declined the last couple of years. This is not a location. that we've seen the Englewood PD writing DUI incidents. When there's a DUI, they ask and they look at the receipts, where did you get the alcohol? And if a location has an excessive number of alcohol-related police reports, all of those reports, they go straight to the ABC. That's a requirement. So the local jurisdictions have to report to the ABC what type of activity, local law enforcement activity, is being generated from a particular location. So we're not aware of any of those problems at this store. Customer behavior, some people like to maintain late night hours. Some of those people will be purchasing alcohol. This store, again, it's a pretty small amount of alcohol given the totality of the store, which also offers a lot of groceries, fresh foods, medicines, non-food items. And they have locks on every single cooler door. So they can, you know, typically towards the late night hours, they're going to lock those cooler doors so they don't have a theft risk and things like that. So, yes, it's late night. Will some people exercise bad judgment? Perhaps. I'm sure that happens. But we hope that most people are not doing that. We're not hearing that the late night sales are a problem. And the store can do what it can to encourage responsible behavior. Thank you.

Commissioner Shaw-Williams.

Is that across the board with 7-Eleven that alcohol is sold at 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.? As far as you know.

Yeah, well, I do a lot of work for 7-Eleven, and I'm an outside counsel for 7-Eleven. But, yeah, that is the general standard because it's the state law standard.

Okay, no further questions.

Okay, thank you. I have a couple of questions for you, and I want to address one of my questions to Andrew. You indicated that the nearest place was 500 feet or less than 500 feet because there is a liquor store on the corner of Prairie and Buckthorne. That's at 801, I believe it is.

Buckthorne? It's not within 500 feet, and it's not within that census tract either.

It's not?

The one on Buckthorne.

So we're talking about Arbor Vita, which is the next street south of Buckthorne. Am I correct in saying that?

Yes.

So that's more than 500 feet?

Of course it is. All right. Okay, but it says not in the same centrist tract. And it's not in the same centrist tract.

Can walk from Buckthorne to Arborvitae in less than five minutes?

Possibly.

I mean, you can, I'm sure. I can, yes. Maybe some of these older people can't do it.

I can walk.

But my point is, it's in walking distance. Okay. Sir, how many 7-Elevens are in the city of Inglewood are you familiar with selling alcohol? Can you tell us?

No, I can't tell you off the top of my head.

Okay, you can't tell me how many want to sell alcohol. Answer this question then for me. Would your business still run smoothly if you did not sell distilled spirits? Yes.

I mean, honestly, I think it would. Okay, very good. Thank you for that question. Have a successful business, yes.

You indicated that you sell fresh fruit and vegetables, you indicated.

Salads and sandwiches and that type of thing, yes.

So alcohol would not... What is the purpose of it? I mean, like my colleagues had just mentioned, the late hours that... We already have one liquor store less than, well, you said 500 feet, but I say within walking distance. And now you're opening up one or want to have one. And then there's another one on Manchester, just near Osage, just west of Osage. I'm trying to find the importance of having a more alcohol beverages or else the still spirits in that range that close. I'm trying to, I want you to help us.

Sure. I appreciate the question. First of all, we are, this seven 11 is, is not going to be a liquor store. We will have a, we will upgrade our license and we will be able to allow be allowed to sell distilled spirits, but in a very controlled and limited way, in a four-foot wide shelf, not much bigger than this lectern that I'm speaking from. And the purpose is not to push a lot of alcohol. The purpose is convenience for its customers. Anything that they can sell that offers one more convenience to their customers, that's what they want to do. They want to be a one-stop shop. That's why the store is not overwhelmed with alcohol. If you go in that store, I was in there earlier today, you can actually buy wood for your fireplace. You can buy medicine. You can buy a sandwich. You can buy milk. You can buy soup. You can buy a little bit of everything. So spirits are just one more addition. to try to be a complete one-stop shop. If you look at these other stores that are listed in this staff report, these other liquor stores, they're liquor stores. You can't get the variety. And so if somebody wants to buy a bottle of scotch or whatever it might be, I think it's a good trade-off that they can do it at a location that's been open for over 32 years in the city. It has a good track record. and most importantly has a conditional use permit that puts a lot of controls on that business, which I'm pretty sure these liquor stores don't have because they're likely non-conforming and grandfathered in. So I think it's... Okay. All right. Thank you, sir.

You indicated that you guys have been in business for 32 years. Am I correct in saying that?

It would actually be longer than that, so it would be...

And in that 32-year period.

About 38 years. The franchisee's been there 32.

38 years. In that 38-year period, did you sell distilled spirits or were you just beer and wine?

Just beer and wine.

So you did pretty good selling just beer and wine.

Absolutely.

I have no further questions. I have no further questions. You had something, Mr. McCombe?

Only the chair gets to call me Mr. McCombo.

Okay. Okay, Mr. Bernard, how's that?

Is that better? Just wanted to note a couple of clarifying questions. So form liquor is hours of operation is from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday only. Okay. AND JUST AS A POINT OF REFERENCE, THE ORIGINAL SUP FOR THE BEER AND WINE MAINTAINED WHEN IT WAS APPROVED THE SAME HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THE SALE OF BEER AND WINE, WHICH WAS 6 A.M. TO 2 A.M. SO THE REQUEST IS NOT OUTSIDE OF THE TYPE OF ALCOHOL. IT'S NOT OUTSIDE OF THE REALM OF PREVIOUS APPROVALS FOR THIS ADDRESS.

And I'm okay with that. My only issue would be, I mean, if you have a business and you were successful in that 30-year period, I'm just, I'm baffled behind the idea that... the city is growing and now it appears that every corner has to have a liquor store or every corner has to have something to seem like to appease to the general public. And I'm not really, I'm not sure about that. I think sometimes we oversaturate ourselves with trying to appease the general public. Sometimes I feel, I think that it's about greed. I'm not going to be honest with you. I think sometimes we feel, well, I can get better, more business if I do this. But we have to remember that we want to make sure that we stay consistent on our stores. I'd ask the gentleman, well, how many stores do you have in the city? And out of those stores, how many are selling alcohol? I mean, there's a 7-Eleven on the corner of Crenshaw and Manchester, and they're just beer and wine. There's a 7-Eleven on Eucalyptus, and Centinella is beer and wine. There's another 7-Eleven on Manchester going toward the freeway. It's just beer and wine. So I haven't seen any of the stores that I mentioned, and there's another one on La Brea. So there's several that we have in the community and they only serve beer and wine. And all of a sudden this one wants to sell alcohol. So I'm really complex about that. I'm not really sure if I'm in favor of that, I'm being transparent. So that's all my questions that I have. And I understand what you're saying as well. But I'm giving you my point of view and what my decision is going to be. At this particular point, are there any more questions from the ministers? If not, if there are no more questions, I'd like to...

I have one final question.

Okay. Well, let's do this first. I'm going to start with Commissioner Fowler. Is there any questions from you?

No further questions.

Any questions from you, Commissioner Rice?

No further questions, Chair. Okay.

Commissioner Trail?

Just a clarification. Why did you decide to apply for distilled spirits to be sold here?

Sure. The Chair is correct. The vast majority of 7-Elevens just sell beer and wine. The stores, franchisees in the current climate, particularly with the restrictions at the state level on tobacco sales, which personally I don't think are a bad thing, have cut in to the bottom line of these franchisees. So there's a select group of stores, not very many, that 7-Eleven will look at because we have to buy a liquor license. It can be expensive. And if they see a store that's well run, that has good potential, good track record, a franchisee that they want to support, then they will do what they are doing for this store. It is not something that 7-Eleven intends to duplicate at all stores, but at certain stores they propose it. That's what they're doing here. I get it that the commission is concerned about more alcohol. I would hope that you could see this application with the controls that the city's putting on it and 7-Eleven's proposal that this is about a little bit of extra convenience for their customers, one extra product line, but it's not going to change the character of this store. And again, I think I would submit from 7-Eleven's standpoint that their store is a better place if the mom wants to come in, and she needs a few items, and she wants to buy some milk and some bread, and whatever it is, she needs a pack of Tylenol, and she also wants a distilled spirit, she can get it at the 7-Eleven locally, and she doesn't have to go to a liquor store to get it. So again, with these controls, I hope the commission could see that this is a very limited request and appropriate at this store. But we're not trying to push a lot of alcohol, and it's not going to be a liquor store.

Chair, I'm sorry. One more point of clarification, and I apologize. I meant to mention this earlier, but the question was asked by one of the commissioners, or it was brought up that events at SoFi, Intuit, and the Forum end rather late, and just the time that they're required to be finished, that events are supposed to shut down at those venues, is 11 p.m. So just wanted to make sure that that was for the good of the order as you guys are continuing to deliberate. So 11 p.m. is generally the time that events end. If there's an outdoor festival like we had this past weekend with Hard Summer. Yeah, I heard you heard the boom, boom, boom. Those are required to end at 10 p.m. And so that's just another clarification, point of clarification. Thank you.

And two hours of fighting traffic.

Commissioner Shaw-Williams.

I'm just curious because I'm not a drinker. What is the average cost of the liquor that you're going to be selling, the distilled spirits? What is the price range?

Well, I'm not a drinker either, actually. I'm just curious. They're not going to sell the very small sizes. We talked about that. And then, of course, with a four-foot-wide shelf, they're not going to sell a big jug because they just wouldn't have space. So it's going to be that sort of mid-level size. So I think we're generally talking $10 to $20. Oh, okay. Okay.

Just curious. No further questions.

All right.

I think Commissioner Rice has another question.

Are there any other 7-Elevens in the city of Englewood that sells distilled spirits?

I don't believe so.

Okay. So what makes this one special is that it's, I mean, it's within the entertainment district, but as Mr. McCormick stated, all the events are over with at that point. So, I mean, you're at par with the other 7-Elevens. So why should this one sell distilled spirits?

Sure. Well... Again, you have to buy a liquor license.

And I qualify that by saying should. I know you could, but why should you?

Well, you asked what makes this store special. There's only a certain number of liquor licenses on the market to buy. So it's not like we can just apply for them like you can a beer and wine license from the ABC. You have to buy them. There's an infinite supply. So when we look for 7-Eleven at stores that this would be an appropriate upgrade of their ABC license, first thing we do is we reach out to the city, talk to the planning department, talk to the police department, make sure there's no red flags. 7-Eleven looks at the store. Is it a nice store? Does it look good? Do they have a franchisee that they can stand behind and spend money to help that franchisee? So that's why they selected this store. because they believe that it's a good store, and with that track record and the franchisee, that it's not going to cause problems.

Let's see. We're not really chasing necessity or benefit to the community, but I have to ask. The benefit to the community. We have stores within two or three minutes of where you are that are currently selling around the same hours the same product. So at some point, I'm just concerned that we're piling on and enough is enough. So at some point, we have to start pulling back and drawing the line to make sure that we can keep our sense of community. What's your thought?

I wouldn't stand up here and tell you with a straight face that I think the sale of alcohol is a great benefit to the community. This is obviously a business. This is the input of the franchisee. I think from a planning standpoint, there is a benefit to people having to make trips if they can shop at a store and make it a one-stop shop. But I'd also point out that one of the goals of planning is to eliminate nonconforming uses. So if you don't grant CUPs to new businesses and businesses that propose to do things the right way, like I think we are doing here with this limited distilled spirit offering, then you just insulate these liquor stores. There's going to be no competition. They're going to be there forever. They don't need a CUP. So I think the benefit would be The city's approving liquor, yes, but very limited, appropriate for this location and the surrounding area, for the convenience of their customers in the neighborhood, not at the expense of the neighborhood, but also to compete with the non-conforming liquor stores that don't look anything like this store, don't have the variety of grocery items that this store has. So if you're an Englewood resident, we think that they would like to come to our store and get what it has to offer and maybe occasionally a distilled spirit rather than having to go somewhere else that's not as nice.

And I think it's competing. I think it's probably about business for 7-Eleven. I can appreciate that. However, I disagree with the motivation. But thank you.

Okay. Thank you very much, sir. Thank you. At this particular point, we'd like to open up for anyone that's for or against this particular project. If you're for or against it, go to the mic. Give us your name and your reasoning, please. Hearing, seeing none, we're going to close this segment. At this particular point, just final questions. And these questions are based upon, these questions are for the commissioners. So you have any final questions? Commissioner Fowler?

No further questions. Commissioner Rice?

No questions.

Commissioner Trejo?

No further questions.

Mr. Charles Williams?

No further questions.

Is there a motion on the floor, please?

I move to approve special use permit number 26-0016, SUP 26-0016.

This motion dies for lack of a second. Is there another motion?

I move to deny category exemption EACE 2026-083 and not to adopt the resolution SUP 26-00016. We need a finding. Basin. BASED ON WITHIN THE FINDING THAT THERE'S NO COMMUNITY BENEFIT TO THIS PROJECT AND I THINK IT'S JUST FOR THE OPERATIONAL PROFITS OF 7-ELEVEN AND THAT WE THE 7-ELEVEN IS OPERATED FOR OVER five years, and it's operated at a profit, and I don't see where not having distilled spirit cells is going to harm the 7-Eleven.

Can I add to the findings?

Yes. Before you do that, can he add to his motion? Yes.

Okay, go ahead.

That This would approving this would create an oversaturation of liquor licenses since there's already Four There's already four ABC only requires three So it would not it would be Not in the, I don't have my usual wording here. Would not benefit the community at all because of the oversaturation of liquor licenses they can create.

Are you accepting the amendment on your motion, Commissioner Rice?

I am. Really quickly, just want to make sure that I'm clear on the finding that we're making because it sounds like the finding is, more geared towards the overproliferation of alcohol uses, which is not required under this special use permit. So a public convenience and necessity finding is not required to be made here.

But it's not for public convenience.

That is correct. It's not for public convenience.

It's for the addition of distilled spirits. Wouldn't that still fall under an oversaturation of?

Well, it could, but what's happening is that one of the three alcohol licenses that were issued by ABC includes this parcel, includes this property. But that was for beer and wine, so this is an addition, too. But I just want to make sure that we're clear in the findings that we're making for the denial. THE DECISION YOU MAKE IS YOUR PREROGATIVE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE CLEAR AS FAR AS THE PLANNING DIVISION TO ACCURATELY ARTICULATE WHAT YOUR REASONING BEHIND A DENIAL IS THAT IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH SOMETHING THAT ABC WOULD NORMALLY REQUIRE IF IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERCONCENTRATION. ALL RIGHT.

UNDERSTOOD. OK, we have a motion on the floor. We got an explanation.

Well, I want to make sure that the findings, I'm sorry, will not be challenged. Are we making a correct finding?

So I would suggest that you focus your findings on the special use permit findings that are required, not on the public convenience or necessity findings. Because this is not a . It's not. you're not required to make that finding in this particular case because ABC has determined based upon the number of licenses in the census tract, it's not required for this particular situation. So you're only limited to the special use permit findings. Okay.

So may I ask a question, Mr. Chair? I was adding that only because I thought it would make the argument stronger, but If it isn't necessary, then I think the argument that Commissioner Rice has to deny it would be based on the fact that for 38 years they have successfully operated with only beer and wine, and we don't want to open the door to distilled spirits in the 7-Eleven stores in Inglewood. I'm just not quite sure how to word that.

In addition to the fact that the larceny rate has not been reduced. I mean, overall it's been reduced, but larceny is basically the same as it was in 2024, and it's much higher than it was in 2023. I would not like to see that increase.

Very good, man.

So we do have a motion on the floor for denial. We have a second on that.

I'm sorry.

Second. And we're just going to, so the, the essentially that there hasn't been a reduction in crime that would, that would be consistent with you approving the use to allow for the sale of distilled spirits. That's correct. Okay.

Okay. So is there a second on the floor?

Second.

Okay, it's been properly moved and seconded. We'll call for any questions on this. Okay, we'll call for the vote for denial.

Commissioner Shaw-Williams? Aye. I'm sorry, I'm going backwards. Commissioner Fowler?

No.

Commissioner Rice?

Aye.

Commissioner Trey Hilton? Aye. Commissioner Shaw-Williams? Aye. Chairman Springs?

Aye. Mr. McComb, Mr. Art, I'm sorry.

According to the IMC, anyone may appeal the decision of the Planning Commission on this matter. The appeal must be filed within 20 days from the notice of decision and should be made by filing a written notice of appeal with the Planning Division and an appeal fee.

Okay, thank you. Public comments, anyone wishing to address the Planning Commission on any other matters within their jurisdictions and are not elsewhere considered in the agenda may do so at this time. Hearing, seeing none, we're going to close this segment, and we're going to have commissioners' initiatives. We'll start off Commissioner Fowler.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just would point out that August 26th is Women's Equality Day, so I hope that many of you women will be celebrating the opportunity that we finally had to vote, along with our women's equal rights in all areas. On August 29th, Council Member Gray will be celebrating, along with all of you, hopefully, Family Unity Day from 12 to 6 at Darby Park. That concludes my report. Thank you.

What did you say on Darby Park?

I beg your pardon?

What was happening on Darby Park?

Family Unity Day from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Okay, thank you. Commissioner Rice?

No initiatives, Chair.

Commissioner Trejo?

No initiatives, thank you.

Commissioner Shaw-Williams, you just got back from Hawaii?

No, I just got back from Mexico.

Oh, okay. We had a fabulous eight-day cruise to Mexico. My niece and her husband, Kimberly Hubbard and Zane Hubbard, was with me, and they were in the area, and I told them to come on up. So I'm happy that they were able to come to my planning commissioner's meeting.

Okay. Okay.

No further comments. Okay.

Don't have any comments. I just I'm just relating on our the commissioners lunch date with our new Our new acting no, he's not acting planning manager. He is the planning manager So I'm looking for our late lunch with with mr. Art and the commissioners Yeah, there's nothing else that this meeting is adjourned. Thank you