The Salinas Planning Commission on Nov. 19 denied a conditional use permit that would have allowed a proposed convenience store at Laurel West Shopping Center to sell beer, wine and distilled spirits.

Senior planner Tom Wiles told the commission the applicant, Simon Amaida, proposed a 2,618‑square‑foot tenant space converting an existing smoke shop into the Clink Liquor Store. Staff noted the site is in Census Tract 1802, where California Alcohol Beverage Control rules allow five off‑sale licenses; six are active now and approval would have raised the total to seven, a level staff called an "undue concentration" requiring a planning commission finding.

Commissioners who opposed the project pointed to the store’s proximity to a school, the close clustering of alcohol retailers within the census tract and recent local traffic and pedestrian accidents. "There's too many DUIs. There's too many accidents," Commissioner Rock said, urging denial on the basis that public convenience or necessity was not demonstrated. Sergeant Gerardo Magana of the Salinas Police Department said he had "no objection" to the CUP provided the police department’s recommended conditions were incorporated, and he offered to provide district DUI statistics on request. Magana reported district crime numbers slightly above the city average and said the change "may or may not increase cost for service for the police."

Staff said proposed hours of operation would be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and that alcohol coolers would be locked between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The staff report cited CEQA §15061(b)(3) and recommended approval with conditions and findings; commissioners instead directed staff to prepare a denial resolution reflecting reasons for the decision.

On a roll call the motion to deny carried with votes recorded as: Commissioner Rokomura — No; Commissioner Meeks — Yes; Commissioner Rook — Yes; Commissioner Purnell — Yes; Chairperson Makayla Dade — No. The commission asked staff to include in the denial resolution the record statements citing undue concentration, proximity to a school and public‑safety concerns. The denial becomes effective after a 10‑day appeal period; appeals are filed with the Community Development Department.