Planning commission approves MD Market’s alcohol permit transfer and extended hours on Sebastopol Road
June 25, 2026 | Santa Rosa City, Sonoma County, California
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The Santa Rosa Planning Commission approved a major conditional use permit to allow off‑site alcohol sales and extended hours at MD Market’s proposed location, 1995 Sebastopol Road (PLN25‑0495). The motion passed with four votes in favor and one abstention (Commissioner Sanders).
Planner Sheila Walski told commissioners that the proposal would relocate an existing market’s alcohol license from a nearby location to a vacant commercial building at the Sebastopol Road and Stony Point Road intersection. Walski said the transfer would not increase the net number of alcohol licenses because the operator intends to close the current store once the transfer is complete. Staff described the proposal as a neighborhood‑serving retail use with interior improvements and security measures including cameras and enhanced lighting.
Walski said staff reviewed public convenience and necessity criteria, license concentration, local police calls for service, and proximity to sensitive receptors. She reported that within 1,000 feet of the site police had recorded 37 alcohol‑related calls over the past two years but that police did not attribute those incidents to the proposed location. The planning and economic development department recommended approval, and police staff provided statistics for commissioners’ consideration but did not provide live representation at the hearing.
Applicant representative Herman Dillon was present and said he had no formal presentation but was available for questions; he confirmed the operator’s current store hours and said the current site would be redeveloped for housing once the transfer occurred.
Commissioners who voted in favor said the application met the required findings, noting that this action would move an existing business into a larger, improved building and did not create a new alcohol license. Vice Chair Duggan moved the resolution and Commissioner Sisco seconded it. Commissioner Sanders, who had disclosed a personal relationship with the applicant and recused from participatory action on this item earlier, abstained; the motion passed 4–0–1.
The commission noted that the action is final unless appealed within 10 days to the city clerk under the zoning code.
Planner Sheila Walski told commissioners that the proposal would relocate an existing market’s alcohol license from a nearby location to a vacant commercial building at the Sebastopol Road and Stony Point Road intersection. Walski said the transfer would not increase the net number of alcohol licenses because the operator intends to close the current store once the transfer is complete. Staff described the proposal as a neighborhood‑serving retail use with interior improvements and security measures including cameras and enhanced lighting.
Walski said staff reviewed public convenience and necessity criteria, license concentration, local police calls for service, and proximity to sensitive receptors. She reported that within 1,000 feet of the site police had recorded 37 alcohol‑related calls over the past two years but that police did not attribute those incidents to the proposed location. The planning and economic development department recommended approval, and police staff provided statistics for commissioners’ consideration but did not provide live representation at the hearing.
Applicant representative Herman Dillon was present and said he had no formal presentation but was available for questions; he confirmed the operator’s current store hours and said the current site would be redeveloped for housing once the transfer occurred.
Commissioners who voted in favor said the application met the required findings, noting that this action would move an existing business into a larger, improved building and did not create a new alcohol license. Vice Chair Duggan moved the resolution and Commissioner Sisco seconded it. Commissioner Sanders, who had disclosed a personal relationship with the applicant and recused from participatory action on this item earlier, abstained; the motion passed 4–0–1.
The commission noted that the action is final unless appealed within 10 days to the city clerk under the zoning code.
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