The City of Citrus Heights receives the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence from the League of California Cities for their Beautification program. Photo provided by the City of Citrus Heights. 

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The Citrus Heights City Council certified the Nov. 5 election results, swearing in the elected councilmembers at the Dec. 11 meeting for four-year terms: Councilmember Tim Schaefer will continue to represent District 3 and newly-elected Councilmember Kelsey Nelson will represent District 1. 

Each December, City Council selects members to serve as mayor and vice mayor. Schaefer nominated Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa and Vice-Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff to continue serving in those roles. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Porsche Middleton and passed unanimously. 

In recognition of the Citrus Heights Cares campaign and the Beautification Crew program, the League of California Cities presented the City of Citrus Heights with the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in the category of Public Works, Infrastructure, and Transportation.  

Blight abatement and homeless prevention were community priorities, and the League of California Cities was impressed by Citrus Heights’ innovative approach to meeting the challenge. The Citrus Heights Beautification Crew is a proactive, strategic program that has made significant improvements to the city’s image. 

Karpinski-Costa thanked the League of California Cities for recognizing the city’s hard work and Schaefer called it a “proud moment” for the city.  

Middleton said it was an “amazing accomplishment” and an “honor to be able to say that Citrus Heights was leading the way in Sacramento County.” 

Newly-elected Citrus Heights Councilmember Kelsey Nelson represents District 1. Photo provided by the City of Citrus Heights. 

City Council then considered an application for an alcohol sale license for a proposed new business, Bourbons and More, at 8067 Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights. The applicant requested a Type 21 license for the sale of alcohol for offsite consumption and a Type 86 license for instructional onsite tastings. Bourbons and More provides tastings and distillery tours, and sells high-end luxury liquor with many bottles in the $500 to $600 range and some priced as high as $10,000. Bourbons and More currently has locations in Roseville and Rocklin. 

When an area already has an overconcentration of alcohol licenses within that particular census tract, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) will not issue a license without the approval of a Letter of Public Convenience and Necessity (PCN) by the local jurisdiction. Based on population, that area was allowed two alcohol licenses and Public Convenience and Necessities have already been granted for other businesses, which makes a total of five active licenses. 

During Public Comment on this item, dozens of residents spoke in opposition to the alcohol sales license for the new business. Most said there were already too many liquor stores in that area and they didn’t need another one. Others expressed concerns that another liquor store would create competition for existing businesses. 

Councilmember Nelson said she was sympathetic to the “entrepreneurial mindset” but was hesitant to approve the Public Convenience and Necessity due to the amount of existing liquor stores. She encouraged the applicant to consider other areas of the city. 

Schaefer said that the number of residents in opposition was “compelling,” so he would vote no. 

Councilmember Middleton said that she would abstain from voting at this time, because while “the proposal technically meets all regulatory requirements,” the overconcentration of liquor stores in the area could have long-term impacts, “which deserves to have a more robust discussion.” 

Vice-Mayor Lopez-Taff said she wants Citrus Heights to be a community that is welcoming to new businesses but  suggested the applicant consider other locations in the city because of the “overconcentration and community opposition.”

When the council gets feedback from the community, Mayor Karpinski-Costa said, “we need to listen.” While it sounds like a good business, the mayor said, “I don’t see a necessity.”

“We’re thrift stores. We’re drive-thru fast foods. And so we are not the $10,000 bourbon people. I don’t know that it fits our community,” Karpinski-Costa said.

Since no City Council member moved to approve the Public Convenience and Necessity, Middleton moved that the council deny the application. City Council voted 4-0 to deny the Public Convenience and Necessity, with Middleton abstaining. Mayor Karpinski-Costa encouraged the applicant to look for another location in the city. 

City Council then considered a proposed new drive-thru Starbucks location at 6970 Auburn Blvd. in the Stock Ranch Special Planning Area. Businesses in Stock Ranch have restricted operating hours to ensure residents aren’t disturbed by noise issues. The earliest allowed opening time is 6 a.m. in Stock Ranch. However, most Starbucks open earlier, sometimes at 4:30 a.m., so the applicant requested an allowance of a 5 a.m. opening time. 

Citrus Heights Councilmember Tim Schaefer will continue to represent District 3. Photo provided by the City of Citrus Heights. 

Staff and the Planning Commission reviewed the request and recommended approval, finding that a drive-thru opening at 5 a.m. did not increase the general ambient noise at that time. Also, having a similar opening time would create a more consistent customer experience for residents visiting the new Starbucks location. 

During Public Comment on this item, Citrus Height resident Alfred Sanchez submitted a written comment stating that allowing a drive-thru at that location “would not be a good idea.”

A project representative from Starbucks’ architecture team said there “is a lot of demand” for Starbucks’ services, and another very busy Starbucks location is nearby. The proposed new location would help reduce customer wait times, traffic impacts and staff workload at the existing location. The representative said Starbucks is excited about this new location and “eager to get this project started.” 

Schaefer moved approval of the use permit, design review permit and extended operating hours for the new Starbucks location, and City Council members unanimously approved it. 

The regularly-scheduled Citrus Heights City Council meeting on Dec. 25 will not be held due to the Christmas holiday, so the next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 8.