Murrieta planning panel approves liquor permit and late private-event hours for Champions

Murrieta, Calif. — The Murrieta Planning Commission voted 3–1 on April 8 to approve a minor conditional use permit modification allowing Champions (formerly Backyard Bottle Shop) to expand its alcohol service to include distilled spirits and to hold limited private events that may run later than ordinary nights.

Staff presented the application as a request from Breakthrough LLC and owner Emil Gregory to add a Type 48 ABC license, align operations with the city's updated alcohol regulations and allow on-site alcohol sales to midnight on regular nights with private events permitted to continue on the premises until 2:00 a.m. The staff report recommends adoption of the resolution and attached conditions of approval in Exhibit A and the statement of operations in Exhibit B.

"It is staff's recommendation to approve the environmental determination and adopt a resolution approving minor conditional use permit modification 2025-000037 based on the findings and subject to the conditions of approval in Exhibit A," staff planner Erin Ritmcki told commissioners.

Sgt. James Tomkins of the Murrieta Police Department told the commission he checked calls for service and found "in the past six months, there was only one call for service," and said the department had no concerns with the application as presented.

Owners Emil Gregory and business partner John Kerber spoke in support of the request and emphasized safety measures: "We plan to have trained security personnel on site," Kerber said, adding that the business will use wristbands, an ID scanner and detailed incident logs. Kerber also stated, "our plan is to stop selling alcohol at midnight," even on nights when private events continue.

In presentations and Q&A, staff and commissioners clarified operational limits and conditions: the site is within a commercial center (39400 Merida Hot Springs Road), has a history of an earlier 2014 approval for beer-and-wine service, and the city updated alcohol regulations in 2019. Staff noted mitigation measures in the draft permit, including a requirement for a decibel meter and a noise study if complaints arise, and that private security would be used for larger events.

Commissioners pressed the applicant and staff on several specifics: the applicant said they currently host about one private event every three months and would cap special events at two per month; the operator cited a maximum occupancy of 94 and said the fire department and building safety determine occupancy limits. Commissioners discussed whether to require alcohol sales to end at midnight or to accept staff's draft condition that serving would end at 1:30 a.m. on event nights; staff advised the commission it could tailor those conditions and distinguish between "serving" and continued "consumption" in the permit language.

A motion to approve the staff recommendation as drafted passed on a 3–1 vote (yes: Chair; Commissioner Denna; Commissioner Rose; no: Vice Chair Voychek). The approved action allows Champions to pursue the Type 48 license and operate under the conditions attached to the permit; staff affirmed the conditional use permit can be revisited, amended or revoked if future noncompliance is documented.

The commission's approval is subject to the findings and conditions in the adopted resolution and the applicant's statement of operations. Staff indicated they will return to monitor implementation if complaints arise. The commission adjourned at 7:01 p.m.