RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The staff recommendation continued from the Feb. 14 Rancho Cordova Planning meeting for Valero Gas at 10299 Folsom Blvd. to deny the application for a conditional use permit for beer, wine and/or spirit sales on-site and off-site to grow the business was upheld at the March 13 meeting. 

Owner Rakesh Sehgal/United Petroleum presented reasons for why it would be easier for commuters who gas up just before accessing the highway from his location to also buy bulk beer, wine, and/or spirits at the same time. After much discussion, the commission affirmed that the problem was “concentration” of sellers. Staff had determined there were already 11 site licenses in the area and did not see where the public’s need for alcohol was not already served.

Commissioner Lee Frechette asked the ultimate question of Sehgal, “What need isn’t being met that your license would meet?” Commissioner Leroy Tripette also asked that question. 

Much of the meeting had covered displays of graphics and a police report from Officer Daniel Barela, Rancho Cordova who said “…no way to know if introducing beer and wine would increase calls for service. That was a grey area here. (But) this was about over-saturation.  There is not a grey area on that.”  Additionally, the Police Department doesn’t see a need based on both the number of onsite and of offsite alcohol sales sites in the area, Barela said.

Sehgal’s applicant/developer, Daniel Savalas from Sacramento was present again to make a case for not denying the application. His arguments revolved on there likely not being calls for police service to the site with a use permit, since newer establishments developed under CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) guidelines have proven safer settings with lighting and other measures, unlike the establishments licensed under the old rules.

Sehgal supporters present indicated they found his business a good one to stop in with friendly staff to buy low-cost gas just before accessing the highway and the alcohol sales would be an added incentive.

“This issue will go to council, which can do more, and you can make a case there,” Planning Chair Cynthia Stauss said. “We only control land use; and can’t enforce…We can control lighting, safety and structure matters but cannot regulate the individual items sold.”

Arlene Granadosin-Jones, AICP Senior Planner presented a refresher report to the Planning Commission on General Plan Elements, required to be done annually, without need for any voting. Granadosin-Jones defined “Goals” as “over-arching desires citizens want for their community,” and reported there were 497 actions in the General Plan, with six current and future projects. It was commented that the Housing Element must be annually updated, including as to lands available for development.

Included in the General Plan is a Hazard Mitigation Plan, including City Safety Measures, reports on storm water pumps, and a potential for a Feasibility Study. The General Plan projects are to be finished in 2026. It was also reported that home repairs are being funded, that there is a volunteer work program, and the city is partnering with Sacramento County and others to accept Section 8 vouchers.