Gas Station ‘Undesirables’ Fear

By DEBORAH STAMBLER | Special to the Palisadian-Post

Despite fears that it will become a “destination for undesirables” plans for a new Shell gas station inched forward through the Pacific Palisades Community Council meeting on Thursday, Feb. 9.

After multiple meetings with the Design Review Board, local government, residents and the PPPCC, owner Saeed Kohanoff made another presentation of his proposed design showing extensive adjustments to its size, style, landscaping and design.

However, some community members remain concerned about the hours of operation and alcohol sales.

Kohanoff owned and operated the Mobil station that was demolished as part of the Caruso Village project.

The proposal for the Shell station, which he now owns, includes a neighborhood market similar to the operation Kohanoff had with the Mobil station.

Wine and beer sales as well as extended daily hours are still being debated due to the location of the Shell station.

Residents living in the condo building directly behind the Shell station concerned about hours of operation brought up noise, increased traffic and lights.

Kohanoff added landscaping to buffer against noise. The lights will be dimmed during late night hours.

Kohanoff’s architect, Richard Finkel, said that the building itself will also block noise from reaching the condo building more than the current structure on the site.

Kohanoff has applied for a permit that would allow for extended hours of operation from 5 a.m. to midnight. Proposed hours for alcohol sales would be from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

There is a vocal group expressing their strong disapproval that beer and wine would be sold at this location due to its proximity to family dwellings, the high school and a bus stop used by middle school students.

PPCC member Peter Culhane, who represents the Highlands and Palisades Drive area, asked Kohanoff if the store would become a “destination for undesirables.”

The owner stressed that only the attendant would have the key to the coolers stocked with wine and beer. As an additional safeguard, the customer will have to swipe his or her license or state ID card in order to purchase alcohol.

Afterwards the PPCC sent out the updated design plans and a 1993 public health study of teenage drinking patterns in small Midwestern towns submitted by Ted Weitz.

While the study indicates that underage teens do purchase alcohol at convenience stores, they generally travel to another town where no one will recognize them.

PPCC Chair Maryam Zar said that in further conversation with Weitz, more recent statistics suggested most minors who obtain alcohol get it from their homes without their parents’ knowledge.

Zar said, “Ultimately, the city will decide where and under what conditions to grant the appellant’s CUP for hours of operation and the sale of alcohol. They will weigh our position heavily while they will also take into account other community feedback.”

The next step for the PPCC will be to put discussion of the issue on the agenda and see if they have consensus on the issue. That is likely to happen in March.