31A - CUP - 1502 E FIRST ST - Laserfiche WebLink

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Conditional Use Permit No. 2016 -31 September 12, 2016 Page 2 Project Description Tierra Blanca Restaurant currently offers a variety of beer and wine options. The applicant is proposing to upgrade their existing license to include distilled spirits to the list of ancillary alcoholic beverages sold with their food sales. This request would allow the restaurant to remain competitive with similar establishments and meet customer demands during the peak holiday season. The alcohol sales component is ancillary to the primary food use and is sold only in conjunction with a food purchase. The alcoholic beverages will be stored within a walk -in cooler at the rear of the restaurant within the enclosed kitchen area. The restaurant's hours of operation are Monday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to midnight and Friday to Sunday from 9.00 a.m. to midnight. No extension of business hours is proposed as part of this project. The site is currently in compliance with the City's development standards in regards to parking, landscaping and signage. The subject site was developed as a hotel and restaurant in 1963. The restaurant has offered a variety of cuisine options throughout the years. In April of 2009, Maria Diaz acquired the restaurant and began renovations of the existing facility. Tierra Blanca Restaurant is a full service restaurant that has provided alcoholic beverages to customers via approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 2009 -22. In an effort to compete with the neighboring restaurants in the area, Tierra Blanca has strived to provide dining options similar to other restaurants in the area, including alcohol as an ancillary amenity for patrons. The proposed addition of distilled spirits to the current sale of alcoholic beverages, which includes beer and wine, is intended to allow Tierra Blanca the ability to compete with other restaurants in the area that offer similar services. Tierra Blanca Restaurant is a sit -down, casual eating establishment specializing in Mexican cuisine. The restaurant currently operates within a 4,268 square foot tenant area and contains an additional 3,597 square feet of basement area. The applicant has processed tenant improvements prior to the submittal of this application to modify the basement space. Previous to the improvements, the basement space was utilized for storage of dry goods and equipment; however, the building improvements now allow the basement to be used for customer occupancy. Maximum occupancy listed for the restaurant is approximately 104 patrons for the first floor and 148 patrons in the basement area. No outdoor seating is provided or proposed. The basement area is currently being utilized for customer space and private dining events, in addition to the entertainment uses such as karaoke and live music. A banquet use is currently not proposed as the facility will not be available for sublease or rent to other operators. Tierra Blanca Restaurant is operating and received approval for a Category 4 Entertainment Permit No. 2014 -12 approved in 2014 (Exhibits 4 and 5). 31A-4