CVS Pharmacy thinks the old Apple Tree grocery store, the long-vacant building at 4949 Santa Monica Ave., would make a dandy spot for its 26th San Diego-area location.
\nCorporate officials reportedly love the building. They say the available floor space and parking is quite adequate, and they admire the curved roof and other features that reveal its past as a 1960s-style Safeway supermarket, according to Steve Laub of Land Solutions, Inc., a local project management-consulting firm that is overseeing the permitting process.
\nWhat CVS doesn\u2019t have is permission to sell beer, wine and spirits \u2014 and the prospect of a liquor license whipped up a standing-room-only crowd Nov. 6 at the monthly meeting of the Ocean Beach Planning Board (OBPB).
\nCVS was hoping to get the OBPB to give its blessing now, while the San Diego Police Department is in the middle of an investigation that could make or break whether a liquor license is granted. Instead, with more than three dozen audience members crammed into the meeting room of the Ocean Beach Recreation Center, it voted 10-0 to put off a decision until that investigation is complete.
\nPolice approval is crucial because the property sits in a census tract that, according to a formula used by the state Alcohol Beverage Control Department, already has too many off-premise liquor licenses. Under state law, no more licenses can be granted without a finding that another license would serve “public convenience or necessity.” Police have 90 days to make that determination, said Lt. Dan Plein of SDPD\u2019s Vice, Permits and Licensing unit.
\nCommunity approval is one of the factors police look at when they make that decision, said Plein, who was one of two vice officers at the meeting.
\nObtaining that determination, or PCN finding, is the first step in CVS\u2019 plan to occupy the building. If police make a PCN finding in CVS\u2019 favor, the company will formally submit a liquor license application, Laub said, which triggers posting and notification requirements and a public comment period.
\nEven though alcohol makes up only five percent of CVS\u2019 total sales, it\u2019s a critical part of the company\u2019s business, company officials said.
\n“Alcohol is a convenience we need (to offer) to be competitive,” said Wolfgang Schiefer, district operations manager for CVS.
\n“It brings people in to buy other products,” Laub said. “CVS wants to make it so people can come in and get their whole list of shopping items.”
\nNearly every citizen who spoke opposed the liquor license or had concerns. Some lamented a grocery store being replaced by a retail outlet with offerings so similar to a nearby Rite Aid. Others wanted CVS to show it would be a good corporate neighbor.
\nSome, like Tommy Gomes, who described himself as a licensed drug and alcohol counselor, just plain don\u2019t want any more alcohol in Ocean Beach. “We don\u2019t need more booze,” Gomes said. “There\u2019s money to be made someplace else.”
\nGretchen Kinney Newsome, president of the Ocean Beach Town Council, asked about the possibility of a “community benefits package” that could include things like college scholarships, community clean-up sponsorships and a pledge to hire locally \u2014 an agreement similar to those requested by communities in response to Wal-Mart Supercenters.
\n“This is not a \u2018big box\u2019 store,” Laub said.
\n“It\u2019s big box for Ocean Beach,” Kinney Newsome replied.
\nWhile not addressing the idea of a pledge to hire locally, Schiefer said the 20-30 jobs, except for pharmaceutical positions, would be “open” to local applicants.
\nCraig Klein called on CVS to provide a security guard, restrict alcohol sales after dark and install anti-theft devices on spirits bottles. Laub said he was open to allowing some conditions on the liquor license, but said CVS already has training procedures in place to address concerns about serving minors and allowing homeless people to congregate.
\nLaub also said CVS boasts high rates of employee retention and job satisfaction, and offers “great benefits and pay programs.
\n“This is the kind of establishment you want,” Laub said. “CVS will be the most responsible staff you have out there.”
\nFormer Apple Tree co-owner Saad Hermez was one of the few to speak in favor. Hermez closed Apple Tree after 25 years as of Jan. 1 when he lost his lease with the building\u2019s owner, Elliot Megdal of Los Angeles-based Megdal and Associates.
\nHermez said he plans to open a new grocery store at the former Bank of America location at 4976 Newport Ave. If another grocery store were to open at the former Apple Tree, Hermez said he\u2019d have to abandon his plans because of the competition.
\nHis new store will be a “brand-new supermarket with the fresh products and produce you desire,” Hermez said.
\nLaub said Megdal had trouble finding a tenant until CVS stepped up. He said Megdal told him grocery stores weren\u2019t interested because the site was lacking in floor space and water and electrical capacity.
\n“He was running out of takers,” Laub said. “We can make it work for us.”
\nOBPB members appeared to be split on the issue.
\nBoard member Bill Bushe said allowing the liquor license could threaten the community character others have fought to maintain. “Pacific Beach used to look like OB. Now it\u2019s just a party place for students,” Bushe said. “I do not share that concern,” vice chairman Peter Ruscutti said. “Zoning will prevent us from becoming another PB.”
\nRuscutti said he “reluctantly” favored the liquor license even though he would have preferred a grocery store at the location.
\n“It\u2019s not fair to recommend denial because I don\u2019t like who the tenant is,” he said.
\nEven though the Board tabled the action item, CVS is not obligated to return to the OBPB if police make a PCN finding in CVS\u2019 favor. Approval is not required from the OBPB, which has only advisory powers on land use and quality-of-life issues.
\nBut with all the concerns expressed, “I would think they\u2019d want to come back,” OBPB chairman Tom Gawronski said.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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