Here at the Intergalactic HQ of the Advocates for Arden Arcade we often have meetings of the editorial staff in which we try to find nice things to say about the County and the Board of Supervisors (BOS). That's because we are frequently asked to stop saying negative things. Well, the truth hurts, doesn't it? However, every now and then the BOS gets it right, and when they do, we believe the Supervisors deserve our appreciation. Today is one of those days.

Everyone knows our community is awash with liquor stores. In the past it has been an uphill battle to get the BOS to care about the problem at all - a problem so bad we have had to maintain a spearate page on our website for it. Today, though, the Supervisors voted 3-1 to deny a liquor license for the proposed "Liquor Lab" at 2916 Watt Avenue. They actually stood up for our community! We thank and congratulate them! 

Here are the details: The proposed site is a small building in disrepair, on Watt Avenue just north of the Chevron Station at Watt and Marconi. It used to be a pawn shop, but the building has been empty for many years. In reality, it is not a good site for ANY stand-alone commercial use because the parcel is very small and has very difficult access and egress. The applicant said people will flock to his convenience store because fresh food is so hard to find (despite the Raley's across Marconi from the gas station). However he also said they would not flock there (his business would fail) unless he could sell alcohol - that's something the several other nearby stores said when they got their liquor licenses. The Sheriff's office expressed the usual concerns about the prevalence of crime/homelessness/drug use in the vicinity, yet claimed "conditions" placed on the permit would result in pure obedience and good behavior by everyone for all time, such that a lack of enforcement would not be an issue. 

Supervisor Desmond, who only got wind of the proposal yesterday, urged his fellow Supervisors to vote against the necessary finding of "Public Convenience or Necessity" (PCN).  Supervisor Rodriguez wanted the PCN to be approved. Supervisor Hume was not in attendance. Supervisors Serna and Kennedy joined Supervisor Desmond in denying the PCN. Wow! Thank you, Gentlemen!

Lest you think we are now raving fans of the County, though, we leave you with these thoughts:

• What possessed the CPAC to approve the proposal? Other than them only ever listening to developers and not wanting the community to oppose (or even know about) projects...
• Why in the world did Supervisor Rodriguez support the PCN? Other than her history as a member of the Folsom City Council, which would pave over their Mothers' graves if they could find a willing developer...
• Why would County planning staff think the undersized, access-impaired site would be a good location for a drive-up liquor store? Other than them wanting to implement our 45 y.o. Community Plan that's focused on shopping-by-car...

Still, we don't want you going away thinking all we have are negative thoughts about the County. The Supervisors got this one right, by golly! They deserve a round of applause! Besides, they voted down two other PCNs back in July of 2023. That's 3 rejections in 36 months! Could this maybe be a trend?