HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11271984 - T.9 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on November 27, 1984 , by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Powers , Fanden , McPeak
NOES: Supervisors Schroder , Torlakson
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SUBJECT: Application for Transfer of Location of a
Cardroom License
Chairman T . Torlakson declared the hearing open on the
application of Mr . Jorge Ismael Solis for transfer of location of an
existing cardroom license from "Smith's Club" located at 2328 Willow
Pass Road , West Pittsburg, to "P' J' s Casino" , located at 3721 San
Pablo Dam Road , El Sobrante , and in connection therewith an applica-
tion for a variance to provide for a change in the hours of opera-
tion at the new location .
The Board received a communication from the Sheriff-Coroner
advising that a background investigation of the applicant was con-
ducted and that no detrimental information was found to preclude
approval of said application .
Tom Coll , attorney for the applicant , briefly described
the type of business to be operated by Mr . Solis and urged the Board
to approve the application . Mr . Coll advised that he had signatures
on .a petition in support of Mr . Solis' application and handed the
petition to Supervisor Powers .
Mr . Solis , applicant , advised the Board that he intended
to operate the cardroom as a regular business and did not believe
this type of activity would be detrimental to the E1 Sobrante area .
The Chairman then invited persons to present their com-
ments and the following persons appeared in support of Mr . Solis'
application:
Raul M. Lopez, Chairman of the Mexican-American
Political Association; 2719 Gill Drive , Concord;
John Peralta , 4451 Fieldcrest Drive , Richmond;
John Givogri , 5262 Heavenly Ridge , Richmond;
John R . Nicoli , 5315 Valley View Road , E1 Sobrante; and
Rudy Rodriguez , Director , Mexican-American Political
Association , 256 Sierra Drive , Walnut Creek.
The following persons expressed their opposition to said
application:
Robert Sullivan , member of the E1 Sobrante Planning and
Zoning Committee , 3730 San Pablo Dam Road , E1 Sobrante;
Betty A . May, 662 E1 cerro Drive , El Sobrante;
Paul Triplett , representing the E1 Sobrante Chamber of
Commerce , 3738 Dam Road , E1 Sobrante;
Betty Hall , 4402 Appian Way, El Sobrante;
Aileen Johnson , President , El Sobrante Community
Association, 3 Johnson Hill Court , El Sobrante;
Hope Scott , 4118 Fariss Lane , El Sobrante; and
Marie Caroyonas , President , El Sobrante Chamber of
Commerce , 4460 Filbert Drive , E1 Sobrante .
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It was noted for the record that the Board received a
number of petitions and correspondence expressing opposition to said
application . _.
All persons desiring to speak having been heard , the
hearing was closed .
Warren Rupf , Assistant Sheriff, responded to questions of
Board members relative to problems associated with cardrooms . He
indicated that he does not have any statistical data associating
criminal activity with cardrooms .
V . Westman , County Counsel , referenced the County
Ordinance on Cardrooms which requires an applicant to request an
exemption if the proposed site of the cardroom is located within a
half-mile outside the then boundaries of any city which prohibits
such acts . He noted that Mr . Solis' application does not contain a
request for an exemption since the proposed cardroom is within a
half-mile of the City of San Pablo and suggested that Mr . Solis
amend his application with a request for an exemption.
Supervisor T. Powers referred to opposition expressed in
letters to the Board by the cities of San Pablo , Pinole , and
Richmond as well as by people in the community. He referred to a
time when cardrooms were operative in west county and the problems
associated with this activity that gave impetus to a movement to
eliminate same . Supervisor Powers advised that he was in sympathy
with Mr . Solis but indicated that he did not believe a cardroom
would be appropriate for the community. Supervisor Powers moved
that the application be denied .
In seconding the motion Supervisor Fanden explained that
she was not voting against Mr. Solis personally. She advised that
she did not believe the proposed cardroom to be in the best interest
of the community .
Supervisor R . I . Schroder advised that he did not hear any
testimony to convince him that the cardroom would encourage or
attract a criminal element to the area . Therefore , he could not
support the motion . Supervisor Torlakson concurred
Supervisor McPeak expressed concern with the County' s
ordinance provision requiring the granting of an exemption when a
cardroom is located within a half mile of a city prohibiting such
activity. She indicated that she would approve Mr . Solis' applica-
tion if it were not for the fact that the cardroom is within a half
mile of the City of San Pablo .
There being no further discussion , IT IS BY THE BOARD
ORDERED that the aforesaid application is DENIED .
I hereby certify that this Is a true arta correct copy of
an action tatcen and eniered on the minutes of the
Board of Sip2reS,-crs on the dzte shown.
ATTES ED: JL�TX�rcC�✓ 02 74/lX y
PHIL BATCHELOR, Cleric of the Board
of
Supervisors and County Administrator
By Deputy
CC: Mr . J . Solis
1901 Esperanza Drive
Concord , CA 94519
Sheriff-Coroner
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