Parlier council approves restaurant beer-and-wine permit and revised gas‑station project

At a public hearing on May 2 the Parlier City Council approved two land‑use permits: a conditional use permit to permit on‑site beer and wine sales at 740 Fresno Street (Cherry Enterprises), and a revision to a previously approved mixed gas‑station/convenience store/car‑wash/quick‑serve‑restaurant project on Manning Avenue that adds a restaurant drive‑through and removes authorization for alcohol sales.

Planning staff (Jeff) told the council the 740 Fresno Street location is in a C‑4 zone and would qualify for a Type 41 ABC (beer and wine) license, but added that the ABC census-tract review shows the area has nine active on‑sale liquor licenses, meaning the tract is oversaturated and the city would need to make a finding of public convenience and necessity before ABC issues a license. Staff recommended the council make the required finding and noted conditions of approval meant to limit neighborhood impacts, including a requirement that audible noise from the operation "shall not be heard outside the walls of the operation" and an explicit prohibition on live performances.

The council voted 5–0 to approve the conditional use permit for 740 Fresno Street. Opposition raised at the hearing focused on potential outdoor dining and noise affecting adjacent residential units; staff said enforcement of the noise ordinance and police response would be available to neighbors if violations occurred.

On the revised Choice Partners (MG) project on Manning Avenue, staff said the project originally approved in 2021 included a convenience store with alcohol sales, a gas station, car wash and quick‑serve restaurant; the applicant requested modifications to add a drive‑through and to remove alcohol sales. Staff said an addendum to the original CEQA negative declaration found no new significant environmental impacts. Staff listed development impact fees of approximately $21,500 and a fair‑share street improvement cost of $6,400 for Manning and Mendocino improvements. Project representative Randall Mathias said phase 1 (a fully automated car wash) is permitted and ready to begin construction and that the project owner will focus on the restaurant component going forward: "We're ready to pull a building permit... the owner is chomping at the bit, ready to go." Council approved the revision 5–0.

Both land‑use decisions were decided without separate recorded dissent; staff and the applicant will proceed with ministerial steps required for permits and building permits.