Commission votes 5-0 to approve permit for event center near Sunrise Mall

Sentinel staff report–
Citrus Heights Planning Commissioners on Wednesday night unanimously approved plans to issue a use permit for an event center to take up a former night club building on Arcadia Drive.

No members of the public spoke during a public hearing held prior to the vote, and commissioners only had brief comments during the 10-minute portion of the meeting that addressed the event center proposal.

The 6,000-square-foot event center building, located at 7942 Arcadia Drive, has been vacant since 2018 and was previously home to a string of nightclubs including Alley Katz, Paradise Beach and Sand Bar. The center’s owner, Sam Hameed, plans to use the site for events such as weddings, birthdays, baby showers, graduations, conferences, and seminars.

Commissioner Marcelle Flowers asked whether there are any categories of events that would be restricted from using the facility, and Senior Planner Alison Bermudez confirmed that concerts and other events could be held, as long as they are in compliance with noise restrictions and a 400-attendee cap.

The approved use permit specifies a 10 p.m. cutoff for music and patio use at the event center. Additionally, in order to minimize noise, no music or organized events will be allowed in the patio area, and no doors may be propped open during an event. The conditions were added due to the close proximity of homes along Arcadia Drive within 200 feet of the site.

No structural changes have been proposed for the existing building, but a new coat of paint was recently seen applied to the exterior of the building. Plans indicate the interior is expected to be updated with refinished walls and floors, new interior designs, and changes to a food preparation area.