Council approves downtown paddle/pickleball center's permit to sell beer and wine with conditions
March 17, 2026 | National City, San Diego County, California
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The council voted unanimously to approve a conditional‑use permit allowing beer and wine (Type 41) sales at a new paddle and pickleball facility proposed at West 7th Street and Roosevelt Avenue.
Community Development Director Martin Reeder told the council the site plan centers on outdoor seating between courts and a small indoor clubhouse; the downtown census tract already contains 11 public on‑sale licenses and the municipal code requires a CUP with added notice in high‑concentration areas. Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval and included standard operating conditions (RBSS training, age verification, security cameras) and a requirement to post signs prohibiting off‑premises consumption.
Applicant representatives said the facility would have benches and limited indoor seating (they estimated no more than 20–25 people indoors) and that tables, rather than a bar, would serve food and drink. Council members pressed the applicant on whether the restaurant would include a bona fide kitchen (County environmental health plans are being submitted) and how alcohol consumption would be confined to the designated, enclosed seating areas. Staff clarified that standard conditions require a security guard on site during specified hours and that cameras would be accessible to local law enforcement. Police initially rated the proposal a medium risk because the area has high reported crime; after operational changes the department's risk score was reduced slightly.
Why it matters: The project aims to activate a downtown block with recreational courts and food service, but council members sought to balance activation with public‑safety measures and clear operational limits on alcohol.
What happens next: Applicant must satisfy health‑department and ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) requirements and adhere to the CUP conditions. Staff will monitor compliance and the council can revisit conditions if enforcement issues arise.
Community Development Director Martin Reeder told the council the site plan centers on outdoor seating between courts and a small indoor clubhouse; the downtown census tract already contains 11 public on‑sale licenses and the municipal code requires a CUP with added notice in high‑concentration areas. Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval and included standard operating conditions (RBSS training, age verification, security cameras) and a requirement to post signs prohibiting off‑premises consumption.
Applicant representatives said the facility would have benches and limited indoor seating (they estimated no more than 20–25 people indoors) and that tables, rather than a bar, would serve food and drink. Council members pressed the applicant on whether the restaurant would include a bona fide kitchen (County environmental health plans are being submitted) and how alcohol consumption would be confined to the designated, enclosed seating areas. Staff clarified that standard conditions require a security guard on site during specified hours and that cameras would be accessible to local law enforcement. Police initially rated the proposal a medium risk because the area has high reported crime; after operational changes the department's risk score was reduced slightly.
Why it matters: The project aims to activate a downtown block with recreational courts and food service, but council members sought to balance activation with public‑safety measures and clear operational limits on alcohol.
What happens next: Applicant must satisfy health‑department and ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) requirements and adhere to the CUP conditions. Staff will monitor compliance and the council can revisit conditions if enforcement issues arise.
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