City Council: Shell Gas to Sell Alcohol, Dog Park Design Approved, a Committee Appointment

Shell gas station to sell alcohol

The Shell gas station at 95 Bill Drake Way, is anticipated to have a license to sell liquor to patrons soon.

The Pacifica City Council approved a motion Monday evening that either a public convenience or necessity would be served by the gas station selling liquor. 

Council commented that the applicant, Usman Syed of the Shell gas station, put significant work into seeking the license with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. 

"Thank you for your investment in our community," said Councilmember Jim Vreeland. 

All councilmembers, with the exception of councilmember Sue Digre, voted to approve the gas station moving forward in the process of obtaining a license. 

Digre explained that she felt awarding a license to Shell would be "too much detraction from existing businesses."

Four businesses in the Manor District already hold liquor licenses - Pacifica Farmers Market, Pacifica U Save Liquors, Lucky's and 7-Eleven and Safeway.

POOCH-backed Dog Park Design Approved

There were mixed feelings expressed in city council chambers Monday evening in regard to the establishment of a dog park east of the  at 1220 Linda Mar Boulevard. 

Pacifica Organization of Canine Helpers (POOCH) worked with the city of Pacifica to create a design for the dog park--an effort Mayor Mary Ann Nihart called "laudable."

Councilmembers agreed with that sentiment, but a few Pacifica residents expressed concern for the park's proposed location.

Stephen Johnson, a professional photographer and instructor, addressed city council to express his disapproval of the dog park's proposed location as it may impact the photography instruction business he runs out of Sanchez Art Center.

"I want a dog park for Pacifica, I just don't think this is the location for it," said Johnson. 

Johnson said that the design of the proposed project would direct foot traffic of dog owners and their dogs near the entrance to a classroom space he leases in the art center.

"I have great concerns for the viability of my business [should the dog park be built]," said Johnson.

Councilmember Digre spoke to the concerns of noise and foot traffic: "I'm really relying on the compassion and intelligence of dog owners" to mitigate "issues that come up in real-time." 

Two Pacifica residents said that should be considered as a possible location of the dog park, as well. 

However, Mayor Nihart said that this consideration had already been made.

"When we looked at lower Frontierland Park, there were solid reasons why that could not be used," said Nihart. She stopped short of detailing exactly what those solid reasons were. 

The motion to approve the dog park design was passed unanimously by the council. 

The approved dog park design will be approximately 23,000 sq. ft. of enclosed space. About 700 sq. ft. will be dedicated to small dogs and about 16,000 sq. ft. will be for larger dogs. 

The non-profit POOCH has raised approximately $25,000 dollars toward the park's construction, which is estimated to cost $139,983.75. 

The organization has entered Pacifica in a , whereby the city could win $100,000 for a new dog park. 

New appointment to Economic Development Committee

The Economic Development Committee was expanded Monday night.  

Five Pacifica residents responded to an advertisement put out by the city for a new committee member; one that the city and local business owners hope will represent small businesses in Pacifica. 

Just before the council voted to appoint the newest committee member on Monday evening, however, one resident declined to be considered: Marie Martin.

Of the four remaining candidates, Vasudev Narayanan and Victor Spano were appointed to the Economic Development Committee. 

Narayanan is the owner of Ocean Market in Eureka Square and his appointment is expected to bring the perspective of a local business owner to the committee, according to council. 

Update: City Council also created a seat on the committee to represent the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce; the chamber will appoint a committee member to fill that seat.