Commission OKs Whiskey Barrel time extension
The Dixon Planning Commission took action Tuesday to approve a time extension to the original Conditional Use Permit approval for the proposed Whiskey Barrel at 178 North First St.
Councilmembers Baudelio Diaz, Loraine Hernandez-Covello and Rubi Medrano were absent.
The site, formerly a Bank of America that closed in 2017, has been leased by the applicants since 2021.
There was a revised determination by the California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC) that a Public Convenience or Necessity (PCN) determination is required. ABC previously determined that the area was not over-concentrated, hence no PCN was required. That initial determination has been reversed and indicates that the census track is in fact over-concentrated.
Due to city policy, a PCN is required through the city's Conditional Use Permit (CUP) findings and process. An extension is required for a CUP when an approved use is not initiated and if a building permit has not been issued that pertains to that use within one year of the project's approval.
“We continue down a very arduous road trying to mitigate protests from a very small few in this community,” said applicant Tiffany Fabiani. “We will do our part to continue down that road in pursuit of the success of the development of this project and for the benefit of the downtown community.
“We ask for the approval of the extension and the PCN tonight to allow us to continue to do that. If you don't, I believe that you set precedence to allow very select few interested parties in dictating how we continue as a community to further develop our downtown.”
In other business, the request for a design review of a dual-brand hotel for the end of Dorset Court was continued to a later date due to lot line adjustments by the applicant.
The commission also took the recommended actions to suggest the city council adopt an addendum to the Dixon General Plan 2040 Final Environmental Impact Report for updates to the Housing Element and Natural Environmental Element, to recommend adoption of the 2023-2031 Dixon Housing Element as part of the Dixon General Plan 2040, to recommend adoption of an update to the Natural Environment Element as part of the Dixon General Plan 2040, and to recommend suspension of the city's growth ordinance, known as “Measure B,” for the term of the 6th Cycle Housing Element planning period.
“I think it stinks that we have to do this but we have to comply with state law,” said Commissioner Randy Davis. “It's not right.”
Commission Chair Jack Caldwell agreed with his fellow commissioner.
“I have the same sentiments,” said Caldwell. “I'm sorry to see this come about, especially with all the effort that the community put into bringing Measure B into existence to begin with. As Commissioner Davis said, this is the law we follow. We will see where it goes from here.”
The next Dixon Planning Commission meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 11 in Dixon's City Council Chamber.