Lakhvir Singh promises that his wine and spirit store in Ripon will be similar to that of a Bev Mo or Total Wine & More.

Those are upscale businesses that often attract fine wine, craft beer, or top-shelf liquor enthusiasts.

 “We will have a variety of high-end products,” he said at last week’s Ripon Planning Commission meeting.

Singh, who is a resident of Ripon for over 20 years – his children are products of the local school system – also owns two liquor stores in Modesto along with one in Salida.

“This store will be different. It will be one of a kind,” he said.

Single cans of beer or small-size bottles of spirits will not be sold at his store. Singh made that clear.

Commissioners approved his request for a use permit to construct a 7,498 square foot single-tenant, commercial building at 798 N. Jack Tone Road.

This proposed project will occupy the vacant .66-acre (28,801 square foot) site in Ripon Crossing, between Tractor Supply Co. and the currently-under-construction Popeye’s Chicken / Burger King restaurants.

Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart, in his report, noted that constructing of the building would be five feet from the northern property line – the northern property line would abut into the landscaped area and the Tractor Supply parking lot.

“Due to the small size of the parcel, the applicant is seeking to take advantage of a setback adjustment allowance that is permitted within the mixed-Use district,” he said.

Parking will be more than adequate given the off-street configuration in front of the building, with the total 19 spaces (18 standard, one handicap) exceeding the required parking demand for a liquor store pursuant.

Parking had been an issue when this item first went before the Planning Commission back in February due to the multi-tenant designation – Zuidervaart pointed out a restaurant of any kind, for example, in that occupied space would have required more parking spaces.

Access to the business will come from the existing commercial driveway located just north of the new Popeye’s / Burger King. Zuidervaart noted that the project would require some modification to the center median.

The exterior of this commercial building calls for a combination of stucco finishes, vertical metal siding, horizontal composite wood siding, metal awnings and storefront windows.

The roof, with a few sloped areas for architectural interest, would be flat with a clean parapet detail to hide all the associated building equipment.