By Sara Beth Williams–
A proposed banquet hall that could accommodate up to 99 guests at a strip mall located just two blocks away from Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane was approved by the Citrus Heights Planning Commission during a July 14 meeting.
The Valencia family, who owns a taqueria and Mexican market in a strip mall on Greenback Lane is requesting to convert two neighboring suites a few doors down from their restaurant into a banquet meeting hall. The suites were once home to a furniture store. Signage for the former furniture store is still fixed to the front of the building.
Site plans submitted to the city by Valencia show that the banquet hall will take up the last two suites in the 14,000-square-foot, multi-tenant building located at 8040 Greenback Ln. which houses nine suites total, leasing materials show.
The two suites currently have two entrances, a back exit, and two restrooms in the front of the building. Site plans show the applicant wants to add a small stage or performing area, designate an area for a dance floor, as well as designate an area for serving alcoholic drinks. Documents show the banquet hall would accommodate 16 round tables.
The combined suites will have a maximum occupancy of 99 persons, which was set by the fire department.
The applicant has also provided security and management plans through their rental agreement, the city said. All activities will be held inside, and there will be no outdoor activities. The city said in a presentation that there are 77 parking spaces on the strip mall’s parcel as well as several more dozen within the entire shopping center, with a reciprocal parking agreement on record.
Gil Valencia, the applicant proposing the new banquet hall, is also in the process of expanding his restaurant into an adjacent suite to create more seating for customers.
Valencia wants to utilize the banquet hall for small events of under 100 guests, such as birthday parties, business meetings, and professional events. Proposed hours of operation are from 6 a.m. until 12 a.m.
“I believe this banquet hall will serve as a valuable asset to Citrus Heights, potentially driving an increased economic activity providing new jobs and providing Citrus Heights with an additional space for special/annual events,” Valencia said.
The use permit to convert two suites into one intended use for banquets and events was approved unanimously by the Citrus Heights City Planning Commission on July 14.
