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Planning commission approves Everbar taproom CUP; grants midnight hours on event nights
Summary
The commission approved a conditional use permit for Everbar/Creative Creature at 172 East Main Street and amended the permit to allow midnight closing on event nights; staff said the project implements a recently amended downtown master plan authorization for additional on‑sale outlets.
The El Cajon Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit authorizing on‑site sale and consumption of beer and wine at Everbar (Creative Creature) at 172 East Main Street and added an amendment allowing the establishment to remain open to midnight on event nights.
Senior Planner Mike Filion told commissioners the proposal requests a Type 23 small beer manufacturer license for on‑site consumption and off‑sale of produced product. The site is in the downtown master plan area (Specific Plan No. 182). Filion said the January amendment to the downtown master plan authorized two additional on‑sale alcohol outlets by conditional use permit; this application would use the first available authorization.
Filion described the taproom as roughly 770 square feet of interior space with a small outdoor consumption/dining area of about 50 square feet in the Main Street right‑of‑way. The taproom would share restrooms with the adjacent Main Street Donuts and Deli through a common hallway. There are no on‑site trash enclosures; staff said trash carts must be stored indoors and that service would be provided by EDCO. Proposed conditions include responsible beverage‑service training, a two‑foot setback at the outdoor area to allow vehicle overhang, and a three‑foot metal fence defining the outdoor dining area. Filion said the project is categorically exempt from CEQA under section 15301 for existing facilities and that the police department, despite a high crime rate in the census tract, did not oppose the CUP based on prior experience with Creative Creature’s operations.
Applicant Tim Stone, who identified himself as the owner/operator, described a compact, well‑lit taproom with rotating themes and coordinated food service from nearby restaurants. “I would love to extend the hours, especially when there's events going on,” Stone told the commission during public comment.
Commission discussion focused on concentration of ABC licenses in the downtown census tract, trash handling and service, signage allowances under the downtown master plan, and the method to process future hour changes. Commissioners and staff agreed the planning commission may approve findings that serve the public convenience and necessity despite an over‑concentration of licenses; issuance of the state license remains the ABC’s responsibility.
During motions, the commission included an amendment to allow the taproom to remain open until midnight on event nights (rather than the originally proposed 10 p.m.). Commissioner Monroe moved the amendatory language to permit midnight closing on event nights; Commissioner Sotile seconded. The motion to adopt the resolution approving CUP 02/2006 with that amendment carried by unanimous vote.
The approved conditions require a minor amendment process for general hour changes in the future, an encroachment permit and insurance for the outdoor dining area, and compliance with responsible‑service training requirements. Final issuance of any Alcoholic Beverage Control license remains subject to review and action by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
