Planning commission approves permit for beer-and-wine sales at 7601 State Street restaurant

The Huntington Park Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit to allow the on-site sale of beer and wine at an existing restaurant located at 7601 State Street.

City planning staff told the commission the project is categorically exempt under Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1, of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines because it involves an existing facility with no added square footage or change in intensity of use. Staff reported the site has nine standard parking spaces and one handicap space, and said no new parking would be required.

Rosalia, a real estate agent representing the applicant, told the commission the restaurant’s owner, Laura Bobadia, was not at the meeting because she flew to Mexico for a family medical emergency. Rosalia said the owner does not plan to change the business’s operating hours and that a related restaurant the family operates in Paramount has sold beer and wine under a conditional use permit since 2011.

Commissioners asked staff and the applicant’s representative about hours and operations; the applicant’s representative confirmed the hours would not change. After brief discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the permit; another commissioner seconded the motion. The commission held a roll-call vote and the commissioners present voted to approve PC case number 202503CUP, the conditional use permit for 7601 State Street.

A person who identified themselves as a local business owner addressed the commission during the meeting’s public-comment portion and described economic hardship among Huntington Park businesses, saying, “They’re going through a hard time right now.” The speaker asked whether the city could provide support to local businesses; commissioners and staff acknowledged the concern and suggested outreach to business groups.

The commission’s approval was conditioned on the findings staff presented, which included consistency with the general plan and zoning, compatibility of the proposed use with surrounding uses, and adequate public utilities and access. Staff concluded those six required findings could be made in support of the proposed conditional use permit.

Details recorded in the meeting: the site’s parking total is 10 spaces (nine standard plus one handicap); the application was filed as PC case number 202503CUP; and staff relied on CEQA Guidelines Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1 for an exemption. The owner’s absence and the applicant representative’s confirmation that hours and operations would not change were noted in the record.

The commission did not direct any additional studies at the meeting. Any future changes to the restaurant’s footprint, hours, or operations that would intensify use would require review under local zoning rules and possibly additional environmental review.