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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 />May 12, 2025 <br />Topic: Modification to Conditional Use Permit No. 2015-19 – Benchmark ABC License <br />Upgrade and Expansion (601 E. Santa Ana Boulevard) <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2015-19-MOD-1 as conditioned. <br />EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />Jeff Coffman, on behalf of Benchmark SA, doing business as (DBA) Benchmark <br />(Applicant), is requesting approval of a modification to Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. <br />2015-19 to upgrade an existing Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Type 41 (Beer and <br />Wine) alcohol license to a Type 47 (Beer, Wine, and Distilled Spirits) license, and to <br />expand its operations to a neighboring suite, for an existing eating establishment located <br />at 601 E. Santa Ana Boulevard. If approved, CUP No. 2015-19-MOD-1 will replace and <br />supersede previously approved CUP No. 2015-19, approved for a Type 41 (Beer and <br />Wine) license for 601 E. Santa Ana Boulevard, Unit A. Pursuant to Section 41-196 of the <br />Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC), establishments wishing to sell alcoholic beverages <br />for on-premise consumption require approval of a CUP. Staff recommends approval of <br />the application because the site is located within an existing commercially developed <br />center intended for such commercial uses and is consistent with the objectives and <br />policies of Specific Development No. 84 (SD-84), which envision a mixture of <br />developments that situate commerce, work places, residences, and civic buildings within <br />a walking distance of transit and one another. Additionally, the establishment is already <br />licensed for on-premises consumption of beer and wine and has historically complied with <br />City codes and regulations. Lastly, operational standards and proposed conditions of <br />approval will ensure that the expanded operations and the sale of beer, wine, and distilled <br />spirits will not negatively affect the surrounding community. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Project Description <br />Benchmark occupies a 1,620-square-foot open air restaurant in a multi-tenant <br />commercial site located at the northeast corner of Minter Street and Santa Ana Boulevard. <br />