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Board denies public‑convenience letter for proposed RK Grocery liquor license in Foothill Farms
Summary
The board voted unanimously to deny the applicant’s request for a public‑convenience or necessity (PCN) letter for an off‑sale (Type 21) liquor license at RK Grocery & Food Market, citing high license concentration, proximity to sensitive uses and sheriff concerns.
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on July 22 to deny a request for a public‑convenience or necessity (PCN) letter that would have supported an ABC Type 21 off‑sale liquor license for RK Grocery & Food Market at 4901 Auburn Boulevard in the Foothill Farms community.
County planning staff had recommended denial after an analysis found the census tract was over‑concentrated for off‑sale licenses (the tract baseline was three and currently six licenses existed) and the one‑mile radius around the site included at least 16 establishments permitted to sell alcohol. Staff also identified nearby sensitive uses — including schools, day‑care centers and service providers — and a sheriff’s office protest letter that flagged elevated local crime statistics.
The Carmichael/Foothill Farms CPAC had earlier taken up the matter. Planning staff said the CPAC originally continued the item while the operator addressed business‑licensing violations; the CPAC later recommended approval after the operator corrected violations. But county staff pointed to the broader concentration and public‑safety concerns in recommending denial.
Multiple nearby business owners and neighborhood representatives urged the board to reject the PCN. "We already have a high homeless population," said Diane Keefer of the Foothill Neighborhood Association, noting multiple existing alcohol retailers near Auburn Boulevard. Local merchants also told the board they had seen illicit late‑night sales at the site under prior tenants and said adding another off‑sale would worsen neighborhood conditions.
Attorney for the applicant said the operator had petitioned ABC for a conditional license and that sheriff‑requested conditions would be included on the ABC conditional license if granted. The board reiterated that local land‑use controls are limited in the PCN process and that ABC, not the county, has primary authority to add license conditions; staff said the county cannot legally impose conditions on the PCN itself.
Supervisor Desmond moved to adopt staff’s recommendation to deny the PCN; the motion carried unanimously. The denial means the applicant will not receive a county PCN letter supporting its ABC Type 21 application; ABC retains final licensing authority.
