pages: CityCouncil/2016-02-02.pdf, 6
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CityCouncil | 2016-02-02 | 6 | neighborhood; it seems inconsistent to have one set of rules for big box retailers and another set of rules for small businesses. Mayor Spencer added that Target is another big box in the neighborhood that has a beer and liquor license. The City Planner clarified Safeway Gas is on the Gateway Site and Safeway grocery store is on Alameda Landing site; stated there were vested zoning rights under the Master Plan; grocery stores have a vested right to sell alcohol; the entitlements and vesting rights did not apply to the Gateway Site, i.e., Safeway Gas; Safeway Gas was built one year after the Council had unanimously denied the sale of alcohol on the Gateway Site; the City felt the policy was established and did not pursue changes. Councilmember Oddie inquired if Target was also a part of the Master Plan, to which the Community Development Director responded in the affirmative. Mayor Spencer inquired why there was no change when the issue came back to the Planning Board. The City Planner responded there is a change in the environment and more competition. Mayor Spencer inquired about the change in the availability of alcohol. The City Planner responded the change is the availability of alcohol does not change the underlining findings of the City Council in 2012 or the reasons it was turned down; stated whether the Council cited the primary factors for the denial were an over concentration and a large number alcohol related Police incidents in that neighborhood; the Planning Board referred to said conditions as having no change. Mayor Spencer inquired whether out of the 54 active off-sale licenses, 16 were issued after 2012, which is a 30% increase Citywide; question with so many licenses being issued, how can denying the use permit not be looked at as some sort of discrimination against this retailer. The Planning Services Manager responded issuance depends on the type of business; spirits alley and Alameda Point have off-sale licenses; there are also businesses that can obtain an on-sale license without a use permit. Mayor Spencer clarified that she was referring to off-sale licenses only. The Planning Services Manager stated on-sale licenses allows people to take a bottle of wine home. Mayor Spencer inquired whether 41 new on-sale license issued in the same time period which is a 26% increase across the City; questioned how does denial, not look Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 5 February 2, 2016 | CityCouncil/2016-02-02.pdf |