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CUP Nos. 2025-18 and 2025-19 for Tacos Los Cholos – ABC License & After-Hours <br />Operation (113 E. Fourth Street) <br />October 13, 2025 <br />Page 4 <br />5 <br />3 <br />3 <br />2 <br />The purpose of regulating establishments that sell alcoholic beverages and operate after- <br />hours is to set forth operating practices and procedures and to minimize impacts to <br />surrounding areas. Staff has reviewed the Applicant’s request and has determined that <br />the proposed CUPs will not be detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the <br />community. Based on staff’s review and analysis, approval of CUP No. 2025-18 and CUP <br />No. 2025-19 is recommended. <br />CUP No. 2025-18 for the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages for On-Premises Consumption <br />The proposed sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption at the proposed <br />location will provide an ancillary service to the establishment’s customers by allowing <br />them the ability to purchase a variety of beer and wine options in conjunction with food. <br />This would allow Tacos Los Cholos to remain economically viable and compete with <br />nearby eating establishments offering the same type of service. The operational <br />standards applicable to an ABC license, per Section 41-196(g) of the SAMC, will mitigate <br />any potential impacts created by the use and will ensure that the use will not negatively <br />affect the surrounding community. <br />In addition, the subject unit is located within the Rafferty mixed-use community, which <br />provides a highly-amenitized community with a “live, work, and play” environment and the <br />sale of beer and wine for on-premises consumption at the proposed eating establishment <br />will be compatible with the vibrant, high-intensity nature of the Downtown Santa Ana area. <br />Furthermore, the subject site is not located within immediate proximity to playgrounds and <br />schools. The nearest school is Edward B. Cole Academy, which is approximately 1,281 <br />feet southeast of the Project site. The nearest playground is located in Familias <br />Corazones Verdes Park and is 1,235 feet east of the Project site. While Plaza Calle <br />Cuatro is the closest open space location 570 feet east of the Project site, it is classified <br />as an urban plaza and serves as a gathering place for those enjoying the amenities of <br />Downtown. The closest religious institution is the Sion House of Prayer located 413 feet <br />southwest of the Project site. However, the presence of an eating establishment with <br />ancillary alcohol sales is complementary to the mixed-use and high-intensity environment <br />within Santa Ana’s Downtown area, which has anticipated these types of uses. As a <br />result, the granting of CUP No. 2025-18 will not negatively impact any sensitive land uses. <br />CUP No. 2025-19 for After-Hours Operation <br />The proposed after-hours operation at this site will allow the eating establishment to <br />remain open past midnight until 1:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, allowing Tacos Los <br />Cholos to compete with other nearby eating establishments in Downtown and serve <br />customers who wish to dine later in the evening on certain days. The proposed use’s <br />location in a predominantly commercial area surrounded by residences, offices, retail <br />stores, service uses, and similar eating establishments minimizes the possibility of <br />concerns that are typically associated with after-hours operations where there is potential <br />for noise or safety impacts to residential uses. However, staff is recommending to <br />condition the outdoor dining area to only be operational Sunday through Thursday from <br />11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. to mitigate <br />