Council rezones Maricopa Highway gas station to allow convenience‑store alcohol sales

The Ojai City Council voted to change the zoning designation for 1124 Maricopa Highway from Business Professional (BP) to C1 Commercial on June 23, a step that regularizes an existing gas‑station convenience store and allows the sale of beer and wine under the commercial district rules.

Planning staff explained the site’s history: a nonconforming gas station has operated at the location and received a conditional use permit in 1996. Under current code, service stations and convenience stores like the existing use are permitted in the C1 zone but not in BP. The owner requested the rezoning to correct the nonconforming status and to permit alcohol sales in order to remain competitive with other area gas stations, which are already located in C1 and sell beer and wine by right.

Staff reviewed surrounding land uses and concluded the commercial designation is compatible with the general plan’s general commercial classification for the area. The planning commission had recommended approval on June 3. With the council’s approval, the property’s uses will conform to the code and the sale of beer and wine at the convenience store will be permitted subject to standard business and alcohol‑sales regulations.

The council’s action was limited to the zone change; any operational or licensing requirements for alcohol sales remain subject to separate permit or licensing processes.