a. Purpose and Intent. It is the purpose and intent of this section to provide for the orderly regulation of businesses that sell alcohol for on-sale or off-sale consumption in commercial zones. Also, in accordance with California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Act, as may be amended from time to time, these regulations provide for licensing of these types of businesses by the City. It is recognized that these establishments, by their very nature, have some objectionable characteristics and when concentrated, can contribute to the blighting or downgrading of the surrounding neighborhood. In order to protect and preserve public health, safety and welfare, special regulation and review of these uses is necessary.

b. Permit and Clearances Required. Alcoholic beverage sales, including adding to the capacity, floor area or shelf space devoted to alcoholic beverages, may be permitted once applicants have secured clearances from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control Department and the Police Department, upon securing either a use permit from the Planning Commission or an administrative use permit from the Director depending on the specific sales activity as defined in Table 8.

c. Performance Standards. All alcoholic beverage sales shall meet the applicable criteria and standards as required by this section or any other regulation of the City; provided, that the Director, Planning Commission or City Council, as the case may be, may relax such standards or impose stricter standards as an exercise of discretion upon a finding that such modifications are reasonably necessary in order to implement the general intent of this section or to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public, community and the environment.

d. Criteria for Approving an Alcoholic Beverage Use Permit. When approving a use permit for alcoholic beverage sales, the following circumstances related to public convenience or necessity shall be considered by the decision-making body:

e. Performance Standards. All alcoholic beverage sales shall meet the applicable criteria and standards as required by this chapter or any other regulation of the City; provided, that the Director, Planning Commission or City Council, as the case may be, may relax such standards or impose stricter standards as an exercise of discretion upon a finding that such modifications are reasonably necessary in order to implement the general intent of this chapter or to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public, community and the environment as referenced in Table 9.