Mayor Singh-Allen, city council to make decision on expanding Old Town Elk Grove bars

During the Wednesday, February 12, Elk Grove City Council meeting, Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, and her council will formalize plans to expand the number of bars in Old Town - Historic Downtown Elk Grove.

Last November, the mayor and city council considered doubling the number of conditional use permits in the Old Town Special Planning area from three to six. During the November 15 city council meeting, several people voiced concern about increasing the number of bars, given some problems at one Old Town bar.

Additionally, the city's Historic Preservation Committee expressed disappointment that they were not consulted regarding the expansion plans. Peggy Forseth-Andrew was one committee member who expressed frustration with Mayor Singh-Allen's Old Town expansion plans.

"What I am here to ask you to do is to please wait on making a decision," Ms. Forseth-Andrew said. "To not bring this before the Historic Preservation Committee for their review and their comments, in my opinion, is disrespectful to the committee." 

Singh-Allen, who envisions transforming Old Town-Historic Downtown Elk Grove into a tourist destination equal to San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, decided to defer the city council's decision. While the decision has been delayed, the mayor and her four city councilmen are expected to pursue expansion of Old Town bars.

Next Wednesday's city hall meeting starts at 6 p.m.

Image by Franz Bachinger from Pixabay