The Chevron located at 11 Orinda Way could see an update in the form of a new ExtraMile convenience market. The existing auto service bays would be replaced by the market, which would offer refrigerated healthy snacks, sandwiches, fruit and usual gas station fare. The rendering above is the initial submittal to the Planning Department, and the design could revise as process moves forward.
Orinda’s Chevron station, located at 11 Orinda Way, has put forth a proposal to replace the station’s auto service bays with a new convenience market, a modification requiring zoning changes at the current site. The City of Orinda is currently evaluating the proposed changes. The Chevron station is one of four in the downtown area.
“Essentially, the gas station wants to add a convenience market,” said Orinda’s Associate Planner Jim Frank.
The service bays have stood unused for a while, Frank added, and the current use appears to be storage.
“Mainly, this is about the zoning code,” Frank said of the proposal.
According to a mitigation management and operations plan published by Chevron Stations Inc., the retailer has applied for a conditional use permit for 24-hour operation and for a California Type 20 liquor license, which allows for the sale of beer and wine to be consumed off-site.
In a statement of findings from Petaluma-based Stantec Architecture dated Feb. 8, the proposal is described as a remodeling of the existing auto service bay building into a convenience store, featuring an entry oriented toward Orinda Way and an overlook deck area with seating. The outdoor seating area will be oriented towards San Pablo Creek.
“The applicant does not propose creek restoration, but Chevron proposes to dedicate the land they own adjacent to the creek,” said Frank.
He also said this land dedication would not be considered until after Chevron is set to move forward with a project and if the proposed code changes are approved.
Ten parking stalls, including eight regular stalls, one accessible stall and one EV charging stall, are proposed at the station. In Stantec’s statement of findings, the company requested, “half of the 12 fueling positions be allowed to count towards the parking provided, as is common practice in most other municipalities in California.”
“Though not part of the current application, Chevron is showing the proposed design of the market for context and feedback,” said Frank.
The concept design contains example images of a typical Chevron ExtraMile interior and features a mood board of the new market’s proposed exterior, which appears to echo the existing architectural flavor of downtown Orinda. Cedar wood siding, black and burgundy metal accents and brick flooring at the deck entry are the materials and finishes highlighted in the design.
Stantec refers to the possible redevelopment on the site as “reminiscent of a traditional Main Street environment.”
The process requires a recommendation by the City Planning Commission, with final action by the City Council, said Frank.
Chevron ExtraMile’s product offerings include bananas, apples and oranges, as well as sandwiches and refrigerated healthy snacks. Typical gas station fare, such as dispensed coffee and fountain drinks and hot foods, like burgers and taquitos, are mentioned in Stantec’s written description of the market and its operation.
Chevron expects two to three employees to be working on site at a time.
According to the proposal’s draft ordinance, criteria for the allowance of a convenience market at a service station includes ensuring that the proposed use “will not significantly and adversely alter the impact and character of the primary service station’s use.” Further, the draft claims an eventuated use will enhance the pedestrian environment in the area around the station.
The proposed use must be at least 2,250 square feet, but smaller than 3,000 square feet.
The project’s draft ordinance states ancillary retail use at a service station may be permitted if a noticed hearing is held and if the Planning Commission’s standards are met. These include ensuring the use’s absence of excessive noise, litter and other enforcement problems as well as the lack of “a material adverse effect on the health or safety” of those working or living nearby the site.
An additional requirement of the project is that it will serve to further Orinda’s downtown goals, including the ConnectOrinda Streetscape Master Plan.
The Chevron ExtraMile website shows the convenience store nearest downtown Orinda currently is in Berkeley. The joint venture between Chevron and Jacksons Food Stores opened its one thousandth store last year.
Andrea Madison can be reached at drea.madison.05@gmail.com.
Another liquor store how many can you have in a small town? Did business just get sold recently there’s goes the little man out of business!