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Planning commission approves Esther's Taco House liquor license upgrade with amended conditions
Summary
The commission approved a modification allowing Esther's Taco House to change from a Type 41 to a Type 47 ABC license (on‑site sales of beer, wine and distilled spirits), amending conditions to strike an externally worded noise condition, replace 'banquet hall' references with 'restaurant' and extend allowable hours to 9 AM–midnight.
The Planning Commission approved a staff‑recommended modification (UPMOD 97‑14) permitting Esther's Taco House to upgrade from a Type 41 ABC license (beer and wine) to a Type 47 license (including distilled spirits) at its 3,600‑square‑foot unit in the Cobblestone Village Center at 2001 East Orangethorpe Avenue.
Associate Planner Leslie Whitaker told the commission that the restaurant has been at the location since 1998, employs 31 people, and has no history of ABC licensing violations. Staff reviewed the concentration of Type 47 licenses in Placentia and concluded that, with conditions, the change would not create a nuisance. Whitaker recommended adoption of resolution PC 2025‑11 to approve the modification under CEQA Title 14, section 15301 (existing facilities/class 1).
During deliberations commissioners questioned the applicability and wording of several conditions. Commissioner Evans and others noted that police department conditions repeatedly referred to a 'banquet hall' and that Condition 24 — phrased to limit noise outside the establishment — appeared overly broad for an interior‑only restaurant. Commissioners proposed amending the record to change any 'banquet hall' references to 'restaurant' and to strike Condition 24. Vice Chair Rock moved to adopt the resolution with those amendments; the motion was seconded and later amended to explicitly expand allowable operating hours (Condition 19) to 9 AM–midnight. Commissioner Smith moved the final motion; it passed by roll call.
The applicant said staff training and responsible beverage service certification are in place and that the business does not intend to operate as a bar. In public comment the applicant representative said, “We're family 1st. That's the way we wanna keep it,” and affirmed they would comply with any hours set by the commission. With the amended conditions in place, staff concluded there were no anticipated adverse impacts and recommended the modification.
Resolution PC 2025‑11, as amended, approves UPMOD 97‑14 and will be transmitted to City Council as part of the record; staff and the applicant were informed of typical enforcement and appeal processes for licensing and conditions.
