Lodi Planning Commission — March 25, 2026
Lodi Planning Commission — March 25, 2026
Regular Meeting · Tuesday, March 25, 2026 · 7:00 PM
Carnegie Forum, 305 West Pine Street, Lodi, CA 95240
Meeting Overview
The Lodi Planning Commission meets with two public hearings on the agenda: a Use Permit for Five Window Beer Co. to add a Type 47 ABC license allowing distilled spirits service at their downtown brewery, and a Development Agreement with Rogers Media Company to install three electronic message signs on City-owned properties at South Hutchins Street and West Kettleman Lane. Both items carry staff recommendations for approval. The meeting also includes approval of February 25, 2026 minutes and standard reporting items.
Public Access & Participation
Public comments may be submitted via the following methods:
- In-person — Carnegie Forum is open to the public
- Zoom Webinar — Meeting ID: 824 8423 0393 · Passcode: 551089 · Phone: 1-669-444-9171
- Email — pccomments@lodi.gov (received by 3:00 PM day of meeting)
- Mail/Hand Delivery — Community Development Dept., 221 W. Pine Street, Lodi, CA 95240 (by 3:00 PM)
- Live Stream — youtube.com/CityofLodi
MINUTES Item 2: Minutes — February 25, 2026
The Commission will consider approval of minutes from its February 25, 2026 meeting. At that meeting, Chair Hicks presided with Commissioners Singh, Diehl, McNickle, Eddy, and Lydon present (Woehl absent). Key actions taken:
- Use Permit PL2025-020 approved unanimously (6-0) for Lodi Christian Life to operate a church at 631 East Oak Street.
- Deputy Director Marsh confirmed the retirement of former Director John Della Monica and noted no meeting would be held on March 11, 2026.
- SPARC Action: The Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee changed conditions on a previously approved project from affordable to market-rate housing.
PUBLIC HEARING Item 4a: Five Window Beer Co. — ABC Use Permit (PL2025-021)
Application Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Applicant | Charlie Lippert — Five Window Beer Co. |
| Location | 9 West Locust Street (APN: 043-025-19) |
| Property Owner | Mandy Gerlack |
| Zoning | Downtown Mixed Use (DMU) |
| Property Size | 0.45 acres (19,640 sq ft) |
| CEQA | Exempt per §15301 (Existing Facilities) |
| Staff Recommendation | APPROVE with conditions |
What Is Being Requested
Five Window Beer Co. is seeking a Type 47 ABC License (On-Sale General – Eating Place), which would allow the brewery to sell beer, wine, and distilled spirits for on-site consumption, plus beer and wine for off-site consumption. The establishment currently operates under Type 23 (Small Beer Manufacturer), Type 77 (Event Permit), and Type 91 (Beer Manufacturer's Caterer's Permit) licenses.
Background & Operations
The approximately 9,000 sq ft building with approximately 3,500 sq ft of outdoor patio area has operated as Five Window Beer Co. since 2017, when the Planning Commission approved Use Permit 2016-20 U to convert the site from a wine production facility (A&H Wines) to a brewery. The business already provides food service with a full kitchen and substantial meal service. Current hours of operation:
- Tuesday & Wednesday: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Adjacent Land Uses
| Direction | General Plan | Zoning | Existing Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Downtown Mixed Use | DMU | Estate Crush Winery |
| South | Downtown Mixed Use | DMU | Offices, Retail/Services |
| East | Downtown Mixed Use | DMU | Auto Repair, Retail/Services |
| West | Downtown Mixed Use | DMU | Indoor Storage |
Public Convenience or Necessity (PCN)
ABC has determined the entire City of Lodi has an overconcentration of ABC licenses, so the Planning Commission must make a PCN finding. Staff recommends approval based on:
- The license is tied to meal service, not bar-only operations — a Type 47 requires a bona fide eating place with substantial meal service.
- The site is in the DMU district, an area planned for restaurant and entertainment uses supporting pedestrian-oriented dining and tourism.
- Five Window has operated since 2017 without documented nuisance conditions — this expands existing privileges, not a new outlet.
- Conditions of approval impose operational controls addressing responsible beverage service, noise management, and compatibility.
- The project supports economic vitality and tourism in the downtown core, contributing to dining and hospitality concentration.
Findings for Approval
Staff recommends the Planning Commission make five required findings under LMC §17.40.040(F):
- The use is allowed with a use permit in the DMU zoning district and complies with all Development Code provisions.
- The use is consistent with the Downtown Mixed Use General Plan designation supporting restaurants, tasting rooms, and entertainment venues.
- The location, size, design, and operating characteristics are compatible and will not adversely affect health, safety, or welfare of the surrounding area.
- The proposed use is compatible with existing and future land uses in the vicinity — alcohol service with dining is characteristic of the district.
- The project is categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines §15301 (Existing Facilities) with no physical expansion.
Public Hearing Notice
Legal notice was published in the Lodi News Sentinel on March 14, 2026. Seventy-four (74) public hearing notices were mailed to property owners within 300 feet of the site as required by California State Law §65091(a)(4).
PUBLIC HEARING Item 4b: Rogers Media — Electronic Signs Development Agreement (DA2024-001)
Application Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Applicant | Rogers Media Company, Inc. |
| Request | Development Agreement for electronic message signs on City properties |
| CEQA | Exempt per §15061(b)(3) "Common Sense" |
| Strategic Priority | 3B: Fiscal Health — Diversified revenue mix |
| Staff Recommendation | APPROVE — recommend City Council adopt Ordinance |
Project History
Rogers Media initially approached the City in 2022 about a revenue-sharing opportunity from electronic signs on City property. At that time, the Lodi Municipal Code did not allow electronic signs on City property, so Planning staff and the City Attorney's office drafted new regulations for "Community Electronic Message Signs" that the Planning Commission approved in 2022. These amendments:
- Created a new sign type exclusively for City-owned property
- Allowed electronic message boards with ground-, pole-, and building-mounted configurations
- Established maximum size and brightness standards
- Allowed commercial messages for off-site businesses
- Required a Conditional Use Permit (Planning Commission) and SPARC approval
A Development Agreement was originally approved by the Planning Commission on January 8, 2025, covering two sign locations. This current item is a revised version prompted by a Department of Public Works determination that the original Harney Lane wall sign would visually conflict with traffic control signage and could distract motorists.
Revised Sign Locations (3 Signs)
Sign 1: South Hutchins Street Median (North of Harney Lane)
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Location | Median strip of S. Hutchins St., ~285 ft north of S. Hutchins/E. Harney Lane intersection |
| APN | No APN (City median right-of-way) |
| Configuration | Single-sided, center-mounted pole sign |
| Sign Area | 78 sq ft |
| Orientation | Facing southbound Hutchins Street traffic |
| Placement | Behind existing "Welcome to the City of Lodi" sign |
This sign was originally proposed as a wall sign at the northeast corner of the S. Hutchins/E. Harney Lane intersection. Public Works recommended relocating it approximately 285 feet north into the median strip to eliminate visual conflict with traffic control signage and reduce driver distraction near the intersection.
Sign 2: City Animal Shelter — 1345 West Kettleman Lane
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Location | Along the north side of W. Kettleman Lane at the City Animal Shelter |
| APN | 031-040-50 |
| Configuration | Single-sided, flag-mounted pole sign |
| Sign Area | 79 sq ft (with administrative deviation) |
| Orientation | Facing W. Kettleman Lane traffic |
This sign was in the original January 2025 agreement but has been modified from a double-sided pole sign to a single-sided flag-mounted pole sign along Kettleman Lane.
Sign 3: West Kettleman Lane / Westgate Drive (New Addition)
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Location | South side of W. Kettleman Lane, ~40 ft SW of W. Kettleman/Westgate Dr. intersection |
| APN | 058-030-10 |
| Configuration | Single-sided, center-mounted pole sign |
| Sign Area | 79 sq ft (with administrative deviation) |
| Orientation | Facing W. Kettleman Lane traffic |
This is a newly reintroduced location — it was part of the original RFP but was not included in the January 2025 Development Agreement. Rogers Media initially withdrew interest in this site, but has now requested to add it back after consultations with Public Works and Lodi Electric Utility regarding potential future substation facilities at the location.
Sign Specifications & Administrative Deviations
All three signs share common physical and regulatory characteristics:
- Pole width: 9-inch-wide poles, narrower than the LMC minimum. Staff approved an administrative deviation after reviewing photo simulations showing the narrower pole creates a more visually attractive, less obtrusive appearance — a "floating" sign face effect rather than a dominant vertical structure.
- Sign area deviation: LMC §17.34.070(H) sets a maximum of 72 sq ft, but LMC Table 4-3 (§17.40.050) permits a 10% increase via administrative deviation, allowing up to 79 sq ft. Staff approved this deviation for both Kettleman Lane signs; the Hutchins Street sign at 78 sq ft also falls within this range.
- Visual screening: Support poles at each site would be screened by existing site features and/or landscaping to minimize visual impact.
Regulatory Framework
These signs fall under LMC §17.34.070(H) — "Community Electronic Message Signs" on City-owned property, a sign category created by Planning Commission-approved code amendments in 2022. The regulatory framework requires:
- A Conditional Use Permit approved by the Planning Commission
- SPARC approval for design standards (pending — the resolution states SPARC will review and approve the signs)
- Compliance with maximum size and brightness standards
- A Development Agreement between the sign operator and the City
Rogers Media Company has been in business for 25 years and has operated electronic signs since 2017, with existing outdoor signage already within Lodi.
Financial & Operational Terms
The Development Agreement provides the City with:
- A share of advertising revenue from commercial messages displayed on the signs
- No-fee display time for public information, City events, and emergency communications
- Zero capital or maintenance burden — Rogers Media bears all installation, maintenance, and operational costs
Rogers Media is required to maintain signs in good condition without damage, graffiti, or distracting electronic errors or malfunctions. The City must keep the properties free of noxious weeds, grasses, debris, and rodents.
Removal & Future Development Clause
The Development Agreement includes two key removal provisions:
- If the City chooses to discontinue use, Rogers Media must remove all sign components and restore properties to clean condition within 60 days.
- If the City determines at its sole discretion that a sign interferes with future development (design, construction, safety, reliability, operations, maintenance, or access), Rogers Media must remove the sign(s) within 60 days of written notice. If the contractor fails to do so, the City may remove and dispose of the signs and bill Rogers Media for all removal costs.
Findings for Approval
Staff recommends the Planning Commission find the Development Agreement satisfies all five criteria under LMC §17.44.040:
- General Plan consistency — Facilitates use of City-owned property for a public-private revenue opportunity without changing underlying land use designations.
- Development Code consistency — Falls within the regulatory framework created by the 2022 LMC amendments for Community Electronic Message Signs.
- Public health, safety, and welfare — Sign locations revised per Public Works review to avoid visual conflict with traffic signage; signs subject to CUP and SPARC oversight.
- Orderly development/property values — Signs on City property adjacent to major roadways; removal clause preserves City flexibility for future redevelopment.
- Sufficient benefit to the City — Revenue sharing, free civic display time, and zero capital/maintenance burden justify the agreement.
Public Hearing Notice
Legal notice was published in the Lodi News Sentinel on February 28, 2026, and 143 public hearing notices were mailed to property owners within 300 feet of all three proposed sign locations. The Planning Commission action is a recommendation to City Council, which must adopt an Ordinance to formally enter the Development Agreement. Separate SPARC review and a Conditional Use Permit will also be required before sign installation can proceed.
CONTEXT SPARC: Electronic Signs in Lodi
The March 11, 2026 SPARC meeting reviewed a separate but related electronic sign project — a 70-foot tall, double-faced, freeway-oriented electronic pylon sign at Lodi Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1255 South Beckman Road), proposed by Arrow Sign Company for LG Harrington Properties. This is the first of a maximum of two freeway-oriented electronic billboards allowed citywide under LMC 17.34.070(G), adopted by City Council in January 2022.
The CDJR sign features a 376 sq ft Watchfire LED display, an 86 sq ft illuminated "Lodi" logo, and a 114 sq ft dealership logo cabinet on a 70-foot pole with a 40-foot-deep concrete footing. The City receives one 8-second message slot per minute for civic announcements, and the Development Agreement requires a $1,000/year monitoring fee, automatic brightness dimming, and a 60-day removal obligation if abandoned.
The Rogers Media signs on this Planning Commission agenda are a different regulatory category — "Community Electronic Message Signs" on City-owned property (LMC 17.34.070(H)) — and are not counted against the two-billboard freeway limit.
INFO Remaining Agenda Items
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Item 5 | Planning Matters / Follow-Up Items — No items listed |
| Item 6 | Announcements and Correspondence — No items listed |
| Item 7 | Actions of the City Council — To be reported at the meeting |
| Item 8 | Actions of the SPARC — May include report on March 11, 2026 SPARC actions |
| Item 9 | Commissioner & Staff Comments — Non-agenda items |
| Item 10 | Adjournment |
References & Resources
- City of Lodi — Site Plan & Architectural Review Committee (SPARC)
- Lodi 411 — SPARC March 11, 2026 Meeting Summary
- Lodi 411 — Planning Commission February 25, 2026 Meeting Summary
- Visit Lodi — Five Window Beer Co.
- City of Lodi — Official Website (Agendas & Staff Reports)
Contact: Jessica Pagán, Administrative Assistant — (209) 333-6711 · Community Development Dept., 221 W. Pine Street, Lodi, CA 95240
Appeals: Within 10 business days, file written appeal with City Clerk ($300.00 fee) — City Hall 2nd Floor, 221 West Pine Street — (209) 333-6702