More bars in Old Town Elk Grove as city plans to liberalize standards, promote district
The decision to expand drinking establishments will be made on Wednesday night.
Over the course of several meetings, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen has said the Old Town Special Planning area, also known as Historic Downtown Elk Grove, has the potential to become a tourist attraction as famous as San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. When the Elk Grove City Council meets this week, that vision will advance toward fruition.
The mayor and city council will conduct a hearing and are expected to amend the Old Town Special Planning Area to allow more bars, breweries, and wineries in the commercial area. The SPA currently allows three such establishments, and the amendment will double that number to six.
Bob's Bar was in operation when the city was incorporated in 2000 and is not included in the three permits for drinking establishments.
As noted in the staff report, the amendment "does not approve any specific bar, brewery, winery, or brewpub; rather, it provides additional allowance for CUPs for such businesses on a case-by-case basis subject to the establishment of site-specific conditions of approval at the discretion of the approving authority."
The staff report also noted that opposition to the transformation plan was heard when the Elk Grove Planning Commission approved the amendment on October 17.
During public comments, three speakers expressed concern about drunken behavior seeping into the residential areas of Old Town. Patrons at Babe's Cafe on Elk Grove Boulevard were highlighted as problematic.
The comments of one Old Town resident can be seen in the video below. Wednesday night's meeting starts at 6 p.m.
