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Loomis forms ad hoc committee to study stateentertainment-zone law after business group request
Summary
The council authorized a two-member ad hoc committee to examine California's new entertainment-zone law (SB 969), directed staff to include law enforcement and homeowner outreach in planning, and named councilmembers to the group.
The Loomis Town Council created an ad hoc committee to study whether to pursue a local entertainment zone under state law and to draft a management plan if the council chooses to proceed. The step comes after a proposal from the Loomis retail and business group seeking an option to allow outdoor alcoholic-beverage consumption in defined public-right-of-way areas during specified hours and events.
Council staff summarized the state law: Senate Bill 969, effective Jan. 1, 2025, allows local jurisdictions to designate an entertainment zone in which consumption of alcoholic beverages on public sidewalks and in public right-of-way is permitted under a local management plan and with agreement from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and local law enforcement. The plan must define zone boundaries, hours, signage, special cups and other operational rules.
"Most cities that have done this use it primarily for events," a staff member told the council, outlining examples in other California cities. Councilmembers and business representatives said local businesses downtown have raised interest in a zone roughly along Taylor Road "shed to shed." Supporters told the council they envision a regulated, higher-end environment for adults that would aim to increase downtown foot traffic and local sales without encouraging binge or underage drinking.
The council asked that the ad hoc committee include outreach to nearby homeowners and coordination with the sheriff's office and fire district. Councilmember Cortez and Councilmember Clark Kretz were appointed to the ad hoc committee; staff said the committee will also solicit participants from the Loomis business community and public-safety stakeholders.
The council's motion authorizes the ad hoc committee to draft a management plan and proposed municipal code amendments for council consideration. Any subsequent plan would return to the full council for public hearings and final approval.
Why it matters: The entertainment-zone law gives small cities a new, optional tool to promote downtown activity and events. Local officials said they want to study the idea and stakeholder concerns before deciding whether to adopt an ordinance. The ad hoc committee will prepare a recommended plan and propose code changes if warranted.
