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Planning and Building Agency <br />Item # XX <br />City of Santa Ana <br />20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br />Planning Commission Staff Report <br />April 28, 2025 <br />Topic: Conditional Use Permit No. 2025-07 – Santa Ana River Brewing Company (501 <br />N. French Street) <br />RECOMMENDED ACTIONS <br />Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2025-07 for the sale of beer for <br />on-premises and off-premises consumption as conditioned. <br />EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />Geoff Brand with Santa Ana River Brewing Company (Applicant), and on behalf of the <br />Chase Family Trust (Property Owner), is requesting approval of Conditional Use Permit <br />(CUP) No. 2025-07 to allow the sale of beer for on-premises and off-premises <br />consumption through a Type-23 (Small Beer Manufacture) license from the Department <br />of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) at a proposed brewpub at 501 N. French Street <br />(Project). Pursuant to Section 41-196 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) and <br />Section 41-2007 of the Transit Zoning Code / Specific Development No. 84 (SD-84), <br />establishments wishing to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises and/or off-premises <br />consumption require approval of a CUP. Staff is recommending approval of the <br />Applicant’s request due to the site’s location in Downtown and surrounded by similar uses <br />and the applicant/operator’s history of compliance with City and ABC regulations. In <br />addition, applicable operational standards and proposed conditions of approval will <br />ensure that the sale of beer for on-premises and off-premises consumption will not <br />negatively affect the surrounding community. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Project Description <br />The proposed brewpub will be operated and managed as a “satellite” location by the <br />Santa Ana River Brewing Company (SARBC), which has an established micro-brewery <br />location at 3480 W. Warner Avenue, Unit B. However, no on-site brewing will occur at this <br />location. The brewpub will occupy an existing 2,024-square-foot building, which has been <br />previously occupied by the Property Owner as an office. The SARBC operations at this <br />site will be a bona fide eating establishment with on-site consumption of beer through a <br />satellite tasting room, to-go beer in manufacturer-sealed containers (e.g., sealed cans, <br />bottles, or growlers), and merchandise sales. SARBC is in the process of finalizing its <br />