June 3, 2026 — Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Meeting Summary

Present: Murphy, Stewart

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Staff presented a re-hearing to change the zone from Business Professional to Commercial General.
The request seeks to authorize alcohol sales at the existing gas convenience store location.
Re-noticing was required to satisfy updated state notice period regulations effective January 2025.
The Commission passed a motion to recommend approval of the project to the City Council.

Staff outlined tentative agenda items including a wildflower boutique hotel conceptual review.
Upcoming meetings will also cover a design review permit for North Ventura Avenue.
Commissioners noted potential attendance conflicts for the second meeting in July.

Chair Murphy, Commissioner Stewart, and Commissioner Hanson were present. Vice-Chair Chesley and Commissioner Ray Schmidt were absent.

The Chair inquired regarding changes to the agenda. No changes were proposed. As no modifications were made, no formal approval motion was required.

The public communications period was opened for members of the public to address items of city business not on the agenda. No individuals appeared in the audience or online to speak. The public communications period was closed.

Staff requested approval of the minutes from the May 2026 Planning Commission meeting. A motion to adopt the minutes was made and seconded. A roll call vote was conducted. The motion passed.

Commissioners were asked to disclose site visits or ex parte contacts regarding the item on the agenda. The Chair disclosed a site visit and no ex parte contacts. No other disclosures were made.

Item Description: A re-hearing regarding a request to change the zone from Business Professional (BP) to Commercial General (C1) to allow for the sale of alcohol at the Ojai gas convenience store located at 1124 Maricopa Highway.
Discussion: Staff explained that the item was previously heard by the Commission on February 18, 2026, but required re-noticing due to amendments to California Government Code Section 65854 effective January 1, 2025, which increased the required notice period from 10 to 20 days. Staff noted the project details remained unchanged from the February hearing. The site has a conditional use permit for a gas station dating back to 1996. While gas stations, convenience stores, and alcohol sales are not permitted in the BP zone, the request seeks compliance with the C1 zone to maintain competitiveness and consistency with the adjacent commercial zone. Staff recommended approval of the zone change.
Public Hearing: The public hearing was opened. A consultant for the property owner attended and offered to answer questions. No questions were posed by the Commission or the public. The public hearing was closed.
Action: A motion was made to recommend approval of the project to the City Council. The motion was seconded.
Vote: A roll call vote was conducted. The motion passed.

Staff presented tentative agenda items for upcoming meetings:
June 17: A conceptual review for 923 East Ojai Avenue involving a wildflower boutique hotel proposal. The project involves consolidating three existing legal lots into one parcel for eight units.
July 1: A design review permit and zone change for 107 North Ventura Avenue, and a revision to a design review permit for West Aliso.
Scheduling: The Commission noted potential attendance conflicts for the second meeting in July due to vacations and one commissioner being out of the country.