6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 19-25, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS A convenience store proposed on Reservation Road was approved by the Marina Planning Commission on Feb. 12. But the business is awaiting a decision by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control on its pending liquor license, which was protested by a member of Marina City Council (participating in this matter solely as a resident) looking for a clearer policy on such stores in the area. Owner Rashad Ahmed plans on offering various grocery items and other products at Marina Mini Mart, with 15 percent of the floor space dedicated to alcohol sales. Assistant Planner Brian Kim said that the city’s code doesn’t require the commission to determine if the store is a public necessity since its alcohol sales are considered “incidental.” Planners interpret that to be less than 20 percent of the total floor area. Brian McCarthy says the number of alcohol licenses in the area already meets the ABC’s definition of “undue concentration” on the census tract. McCarthy filed a protest of the license to the ABC as a private citizen. That protest is under review, according to an ABC spokesperson. Mini Mart business manager Gabriel Villa said by offering alcohol for sale, it helps give the business a competitive edge. The commission added a number of conditions in its approval, including prohibiting the sales of single-serving spirits and requiring the business to review its hours of operations with the police department after one year. McCarthy doesn’t plan on appealing the commission approval, citing a pricey process. He adds that he hopes the protest starts a discussion about clearer standards for alcohol establishments. Grab and Go A Marina convenience store is approved despite concerns about alcohol saturation in the area. By Erik Chalhoub When Airbnb emerged on the scene in 2007, it was described as an industry “disruptor,” drastically changing the way travelers book accommodations. Nearly 20 years later, the presence of short-term rental platforms is proving to be a major disruption in Monterey County, as a fight over a vacation rental ordinance continues to confound nearly everyone involved. The ordinance, passed by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors on a 3-2 vote in September 2024, took over a decade to create and was hailed as a compromise between vacation rental owners and those who fought against the rentals, in part arguing that the rentals further exacerbated the housing crisis. The Monterey County Vacation Rental Alliance took the county to court in November 2024. A year later, the MCVRA filed an amended complaint asking for damages on the basis that owners’ rights had been violated. The County is asking a judge to strike it down. The move sparked a flurry of activity on the County’s part. Officials announced they would not enforce two provisions of the ordinance, one requiring owners to be present during homestays, the other prohibiting corporations from owning vacation rentals. Supervisor Kate Daniels, fearing homes could be snapped up as STRs by corporations, asked the board to ban the rentals altogether in residential areas. In January the board voted 3-2 in favor of drafting an ordinance that included no STRs in residential zones, except in agricultural areas. For Daniels’ predecessor, Mary Adams, who previously represented District 5—home to the majority of vacation rentals—the fight boils down to one question: “What comes first, benefiting corporations or community?” On Wednesday, Feb. 11, county staff presented the draft ordinance to the Planning Commission. They were asked to either recommend the new ordinance to the supervisors, or not. They were not to make further changes, according to Deputy County Counsel Reed Gallogly. “Today my encouragement for the commissioners is to keep the train on the tracks, keep your focus on what’s in front of you in making a recommendation,” Gallogly said. “Because we have outstanding litigation it is helpful to keep a clear record and not muddle the waters further.” Some commissioners appeared stymied by the request, unwilling to go along with what the board asked for. “I’m probably going to muddy the waters here,” said Commissioner Christine Shaw, who asked if they could just remove the two portions of the current ordinance regarding homestays and corporate ownership and move on, adding that while she doesn’t love the idea of vacation rentals in neighborhoods, she wanted to strike a compromise with STR owners. Commissioner Ramon Gomez also said he wanted to remove the two provisions and stick with the rest of the current ordinance. Chair Paul Getzelman cited the decision as “a political decision that should be left to the politicians.” The commission voted 7-1 against recommending the draft ordinance. The County and MCVRA are due back in court Friday, Feb. 20, on a motion by the county to strike down MCVRA’s complaint. On Wednesday, Feb. 11, the Monterey County Planning Commission voted 7-1 against recommending the draft ordinance. It will next return to the Board of Supervisors. Step Back The future of the county’s short-term rental ordinance remains unknown amid struggles. By Pam Marino Marina Mini Mart is set to open at 320 Reservation Road, with 15 percent of floor space dedicated to alcohol pending a decision by ABC on a protest. “My encouragement is to keep the train on the tracks.” DANIEL DREIFUSS DANIEL DREIFUSS
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