Author: Sara Beth Williams

By Sara Beth Williams–
After significant opposition from residents and business owners during a public hearing, the Citrus Heights City Council denied a request for a legally required “Letter of Public Convenience and Necessity” to allow liquor sales at a new store on Greenback Lane. Such a letter, often referred to as a PCN, is typically required when a business applies for certain types of alcohol licenses in areas considered “high crime” or where the number of existing licenses exceeds a state-determined threshold.

During the Dec. 11 City Council meeting, dozens of community members spoke in opposition to a new liquor store proposed for 8067 Greenback Ln., saying that there are already too many other liquor stores in the same area. After an hour-and-a-half of public comment and discussion, the City Council voted 4-0 to not support the Letter of Public Convenience and Necessity, with councilwoman Porsche Middleton abstaining.

Bourbons & More owner Geo Mathews said the store is “not just a liquor store,” but an “instruction and educational premium bottle shop” that will offer instructional tastings of high-end alcoholic beverages. Bourbons & More currently lists two locations in Rocklin and Roseville.

Responding to questions from Middleton, Mathews said bottles are sold as low as $20, but at least 75 percent of the shop’s inventory is considered premium liquor, with prices ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 a bottle. Mathews also said that customers travel from “all over the United States” to find liquors they can’t find anywhere else. According to the city, the proposed liquor store is anticipated to generate $9,200 in annual sales tax revenue.

Councilmember Tim Schaefer, as well as other public commenters voiced concerns regarding the small size of the proposed location, and that the location was “subdued,” tucked behind a paint store. Mathews said rental rates at the proposed Citrus Heights location were attractive, noting “outrageous” prices in other locations.

All public commenters spoke in opposition, voicing concerns that there were too many other establishments that already offer liquor, that Citrus Heights is full of “common folk” who aren’t interested in high-end liquor, and that the area has a high transient population, and another liquor store could invite crime to the area. Several speakers were nearby business owners whose stores also sell liquor.

According to the city, there are currently five off-sale liquor licenses within the census tract in question, which is beyond the number authorized by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Two other liquor stores, located within neighboring census tracts to the east and south, are also within 1,000 feet of the proposed liquor store.

Some commenters said they were “surprised” to hear that the Police Department did not find any concerns regarding approving another liquor store. Prior to the meeting, a map was provided to the City Council which reportedly listed estimated DUIs from within the vicinity of the proposed shop.

Citrus Heights Police Chief Alex Turcotte said during the council meeting that he “can’t verify the statistics” provided to the City Council but added that the area in question accounts for “about 10 percent of DUIs throughout the city.”

Many commenters mentioned that while Bourbons & More described itself as an establishment that sells premium liquors, BevMo, located a half mile away in the Citrus Town Center, also sells high-end alcoholic beverages, and also offers wine tastings.

Councilmembers Kelsey Nelson, Middleton, and Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa and Vice Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff agreed that the area immediately surrounding the Greenback Square shopping center has an over-concentration of existing liquor stores. Lopez-Taff and Nelson said they “sympathize” with new business owners and suggested that the business find another location in the city.

Middleton acknowledged the “substantive” concerns made by the public, but emphasized that the proposal “technically meets all regulatory requirements” and noted that state law prevents the council from voting no on the request if opposition is based on restricting competition. Middleton also said she wanted to see a more “robust” discussion with the community and with the Community Development department regarding the long-term effects of the over-concentration of liquor stores.

Karpinski-Costa noted the public input received during the hearing, saying: “We don’t often get feedback from our community, and when we do, we need to listen.” Schaefer also noted the number of members of the public who spoke against the Bourbons & More proposal, calling it “compelling,” but both noted the business could be better suited in other parts of the city.

“I really want to encourage the applicant to look for another spot,” said Karpinski-Costa in a brief comment following the vote to not approve the issuance of a PCN. “It’s not a bad business, it’s just in the wrong location — one that isn’t so saturated.”

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By Sara Beth Williams–
The Citrus Heights City Council has one new member, as of Wednesday night.

Kelsy Nelson was sworn in as a council member on Dec. 11, after winning 63 percent of the vote in a three-way race for the District 1 seat. Nelson declared victory shortly after Election Day on her campaign page.

Previously, former Mayor Bret Daniels occupied the District 1 seat but resigned three months before his term was to expire, after his family moved out of state. In previous reports, Daniels said he tried to find housing in his district and was intending to finish out his term, but he was forced to resign when he was unable to secure housing within District 1.

During a Citrus Heights City Council Candidate Forum held in October, Nelson discussed multiple topics including homelessness, education, law enforcement and the Sunrise Mall, often emphasizing the continuation of beautification as her primary focus.

On the topic of local education, Nelson said she was “open to the possibility” of creating a local school district. Referencing her attending local schools as a student, she said “it could have been better.” On the topic of law enforcement on school campuses Nelson agreed with all other candidates that law enforcement officers should be placed on local high school campuses. Nelson said having officers in schools creates a “connection” with kids early on.

In discussing the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan, Nelson described the current plan as “super exciting” and called a recent proposed amendment to the plan “concerning.” The proposed amendment which was set to go before the City Council in November was later postponed.

“It’s a pillar of our community, and we need to cherish it,” Nelson said, referring to the Sunrise Mall.

Nelson served a short stint on the Citrus Heights Planning Commission. Her seat on the commission expires at the end of 2024, and the City Council is scheduled to appoint four new members in January.

Nelson returned to live in Citrus Heights in 2019 and currently helps run a ceramics supply store. Nelson is part of the local Realtors association and resides on the San Juan School District Standards and Curriculum Committee. Nelson also serves as the President of CHANT, Neighborhood Area 3 and is a representative of REACH.

Prior to the election, Nelson said she ran for City Council so she could “help guide our city’s steps” toward continuing to develop the city into a destination where people can “shop, work, and play.”

Councilmember Tim Schaefer was also sworn in, having been reelected by 100 percent of the vote to represent District 3. Schaefer ran unopposed.

By Sara Beth Williams–
The Citrus Heights City Council plans to hold a public hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 11, for a new coffee shop with drive-thru services to be built at the Stock Ranch Plaza.

City documents show a new Starbucks location design review and use permit were submitted in May of this year for 6970 Auburn Blvd.

The proposed Starbucks would be located in the Stock Ranch Plaza, across from Walmart, on an undeveloped parcel facing Auburn Boulevard. Designs show the planned construction of a proposed 2,308-square-foot building with a drive-thru lane wrapping around the back.

In order for the project to move forward, the City Council needs to approve an amendment to the Stock Ranch Guide for Development to allow for extended operating hours for fast-casual and drive-thru restaurants, along with approving the Design Review Permit and Use Permit.

Most Starbucks locations open between the hours of 4:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., and all existing Starbucks drive-thru locations within Citrus Heights open at 4:30 a.m., according to the city. The applicant is requesting an amendment that would allow the coffee shop to open at 5:00 am, one hour earlier than the Stock Ranch Guide for Development currently allows.

The Stock Ranch Guide allows for one drive-thru restaurant in the Auburn Commerce District according to the agenda packet. The proposed Starbucks is anticipated to generate up to $4,800 in annual sales tax revenue, according to a city staff report.

Plans for the new Starbucks location call for landscape improvements between the building and the sidewalk along Auburn Boulevard, including the addition of several trees, shrubs, and multiple parking spaces. Existing irrigation and landscaping along the boulevard will remain. A rendering of the layout shows an outdoor patio area with several tables in addition to indoor seating.

The new Starbucks would be located several blocks away from an existing Starbucks located at 7082 Auburn Blvd., at Sylvan Corners. Some local residents have expressed frustration over the nearby Starbucks location’s fluctuations and inconsistency in open hours of operation.

A nearby five-tenant building also facing Auburn Boulevard is home to the newly-opened West Coast Sourdough, along with a Sport Clips hair salon, AT&T store, Crumbl Cookies, and Citrus Heights Smile Dentistry.

The Stock Ranch plan, approved in February 2001, provides for the development of 570,000 square feet of commercial areas as well as over 43 acres for residential development and 32 acres of open space, according to the city’s website.

According to prior reports, the concept for a fully built Stock Ranch Plaza includes up to ten building pads housing multiple tenants, varying in size but similar to the existing five-tenant building housing West Coast Sourdough.

The development of the plaza began with the construction of the Costco building in 2003 and Walmart in 2005. Applebee’s Bar & Grill opened in late 2015.