There were six board members absent from the Alpine Community Planning Group meeting on Feb. 27 when Brian Garmo presented his request for a formal recommendation to the county of San Diego to approve transfer of a type 21 ABC license from Ranch Farmers Market at 2754 Alpine Blvd. to the Shell gas station at 2235 Alpine Blvd.
Even with limited numbers, the nine present members of the board, who were enough to form a quorum, hesitated and deliberated over the request.
“This is not a new license. We’re merely transferring the license from one place to another,” Garmo said.
Board Member Richard Saldano addressed the room and rhetorically asked when anyone last saw hard alcohol sales at a gas station. He said Garmo’s potential to bring licensed liquor sales to a gas station typically does not exist in San Diego county.
“He’s got that golden ticket, remember. This type of license allows for hard alcohol,” Saldano said.
Board Member Mike Milligan said he is worried for the potential public nuisance situation that could be created if the gas station becomes a source of hard alcohol.
“I want to make sure there’s restrictions to keep that from happening,” Milligan said.
Saldano agreed: “We’re the stewards of our community. I don’t want to make it too easy to buy hard alcohol.”
Board President Travis Lyon suggested it is possible to prevent the gas station from devolving into an eyesore for the community or source of problems by placing signs on the property clearly stating that loitering or drinking on the property will not be tolerated. He also suggested that placing cameras on site to monitor for illegal behavior might be a good deterrent for lawbreakers.
“There’s lots of laws out there. That doesn’t mean people abide by them,” Milligan said.
Lyon also differentiated between a gasoline customer who also wants to pick up beer or wine at at a one-stop location from customers who might be indulging in a single shot of alcohol in the parking lot.
Ultimately, the board voted to postpone a decision but tasked Garmo to obtain more information on the scope of the business for presentation at a future ACPG meeting.
The next community planning group meeting is scheduled for March 26, 2020
