Arco ABC Type 20 License
CEQA Exemption
Appeal 25-07 for Conditional Use Permit 23-01
and Public Convenience Or Necessity 23-01
November 5, 2025
Lead Agency:
City of San Bernardino
201 North “E” Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401
Angelyn Mendoza, Assistant Planner
(909) 998-2311
Arco ABC Type 20 License
City of San Bernardino
Arco ABC Type 20 License
CEQA Review
Introduction
Pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, a Notice of Exemption (NOE) may be filed if the City of San Bernardino, in its capacity as the lead agency, determines that a proposed action or project is exempt f rom the environmental review requirements of CEQA.
According to the CEQA Guidelines, a NOE must contain the following:
✓ A brief description of the proposed action or project; ✓ A finding that the proposed action or project is exempt, including a citation to the State CEQA Guidelines section or statute under which the project is found to be exempt; and, ✓ A brief statement in support of the finding.
This NOE provides a description of the proposed Arco ABC Type 20 License (the “Project”), indicates the applicable sections of CEQA that support the findings for a CEQA Exemption, and discusses the City of San Bernardino’s findings that are applicable to the proposed Project.
Background & Project Description
Project Title
Arco ABC Type 20 License
Lead Agency Name and Address
City of San Bernardino
Community Development and Housing Department – Planning Division 201 North E Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401
Project Manager and Phone Number
Angelyn Mendoza, Assistant Planner
(909) 998-2311
[email protected]
Project Applicant’s/Sponsor’s Name and Address
189 W. Highland, LLC c/o Erika Diaz
110 East Longden Avenue Suite A
Irwindale, CA 91706
Arco ABC Type 20 License
City of San Bernardino
Brief Project Description
The property is located at 189 West Highland Avenue (APN: 0146-013-25), within a previously approved 1,434 square-foot building.
The applicant is requesting the approval of Appeal 25-07 for Conditional Use Permit 23-01 and Public Convenience or Necessity 23-01 to allow a new Alcoholic Beverage Control Type 20 (Off-Sale Beer & Wine) License in conjunction with a previously approved Service Station/Convenience Store containing approximately 1,434 square-feet on a parcel containing a total of approximately 0.38 acres.
Arco ABC Type 20 License
City of San Bernardino
Environmental Setting
Project Location
189 West Highland Avenue (APN: 0146-013-25)
Project/Surrounding Setting
Table 1 below provides a summary of the surrounding land use characteristics of the subject site and surrounding properties.
TABLE 1: SITE AND SURROUNDING LAND USES
LOCATION LAND USE ZONE GENERAL PLAN
DESIGNATION
Site Arco Gas Station Commercial General (CG-1) Commercial North MT&H Meat Market
Carniceria Commercial General (CG-1) Commercial
South Residential Residential Suburban (RS) Single-Family Residence
East Vacant Commercial General (CG-1) Commercial
West 7-Eleven Commercial General (CG-1) Commercial
Table 2 below provides a site design analysis that illustrates the consistency of the project with the Development Code and General Plan.
TABLE 2: DEVELOPMENT CODE AND GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT CODE GENERAL PLAN
Land Use Alcoholic Beverage Control
Type 20 (Off-Sale Beer & Wine)
Permitted Subject to the
Approval of a CUP
Permitted subject to
the requirements of
the Development
Code
General Plan Designation
Current: Commercial
Proposed: Commercial
Zoning Designation
Current: Commercial General (CG-1)
Proposed: Commercial General (CG-1)
Project Approvals
Appeal 25-07 for Conditional Use Permit 23-01 and Public Convenience or Necessity 23-01 Arco ABC Type 20 License
City of San Bernardino
Applicable CEQA Exemption
Class 1 Exemption (Existing Facilities)
The Community Development Department – Planning Division of the City of San Bernardino has reviewed the proposed Project and has determined that it is categorically exempt and qualifies for a Class 1 Existing Facilities (CEQA Guidelines Section 15301). The Class 1 exemption consists of projects characterized as the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involvin g negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination.
The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use.
Examples of this exemption include but are not limited to:
✓ Licensing of a private structure.
Findings Supporting the Applicable CEQA Exemption
The City of San Bernardino determined, following a preliminary evaluation of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Type 20 (Off-Sale Beer & Wine) License, that the proposed Project would not result in any significant effects on the environment. This determination is based on the following:
a. The City of San Bernardino is generally characterized as an urbanized community and the subject Project site is located at 189 West Highland Avenue, which is a commercialized area within the city.
b. The upgraded Alcoholic Beverage Control Type 20 (Off-Sale Beer & Wine) License will be in conjunction with a previously approved and operating 1,434 square-foot building. Operation with an Alcoholic Beverage Control Type 20 (Off-Sale Beer & Wine) License is conditionally permitted within the Commercial General (CG-1) zone subject to a Conditional Use Permit with appropriate Conditions of Approval and CEQA Determination.
c. The proposed Project is consistent with the commercial General Plan land use designation and all applicable General Plan policies, as well as with applicable Commercial Zoning District classification and regulations.
d. Conditions of Approval will be imposed on the proposed Project to alleviate any potential impacts.
Reviewed and Approved By:
Travis Martin
Principal Planner