Board to consider modifying Central Avenue gas station permit
On June 9, the Planning Board will consider allowing modification of a use permit that would allow the Mobil gas station at 1310 Central Avenue to extend its operating hours and sell a broader range of convenience items at its store. The amendment aims to sustain the business, reduce neighborhood travel for fuel and food, and avoid potential site vacancy and blight.
Below is a summary of what is proposed and how to participate.
[1]Proposed permit changes
The Mobil gas station at 1310 Central Avenue has been in operation for over 75 years. Its current use permit allows it to operate from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Sales of non-automotive goods are currently prohibited. (Editors note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed current operating hours. A correction has been made.)
The owner has applied to extend operating hours to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and to allow the sale of packaged food and non-alcoholic beverages. Alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine sales will remain prohibited, and operational conditions (e.g., no overnight car storage) will continue to be in effect. The auto repair business at the site operates separately, and its hours will remain unchanged.
The gas station has a difficult time competing with other gas stations that offer extended hours of operation and full convenience stores with food, beverages, alcohol, and tobacco sales. Allowing for additional hours of operation and the sale of packaged foods and drinks while continuing to prohibit the sale of alcohol and tobacco products can help the business compete on a more level playing field. Gas station properties that cease operations face significant challenges in finding successful new uses.
How you can participate
The meeting will be held on Monday, June 9, at 7 pm at the City Council Chambers, located on the third floor of City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue.
Members of the public may participate in person or via Zoom. They may comment on the Non-Agenda, Consent Calendar, and Regular Agenda portions of the Meeting Agenda [2] (link downloads document).
The Non-Agenda portion of the meeting provides a chance to address the Board regarding any matter not on the agenda over which the Board has jurisdiction. The Consent Calendar is for routine items approved by a single motion. The Regular Agenda is the central portion of the meeting, during which each issue receives a presentation and time for Board discussion and public comment.
Make requests for reasonable accommodation by completing an online form [3].
For Zoom registration, click here [4]. Information to assist with Zoom participation is here [5]. The Zoom phone number for telephone participants is 669-900-9128, and the Meeting ID is 815 3979 3319.
The meeting can also be viewed on the City of Alameda’s Facebook page, [6] but comments posted there are not monitored.
Community members may also email Board Members [7] before the meeting.
Contributing writer Karin K. Jensen covers boards and commissions for the Alameda Post [8]. Contact her via [email protected] [9]. Her writing is collected at https://linktr.ee/karinkjensen [10] and https://alamedapost.com/Karin-K-Jensen [11].