By Sara Beth Williams–
A banquet hall that could accommodate more than 100 guests is being proposed at a strip mall located just two blocks away from Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane.
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.
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. Flyers announcing the expansion were distributed in the spring but it’s unknown when the expansion will be completed.
Site plans submitted to the city by Valencia for the remodeling of the vacant suites show that the proposed banquet hall would take up the last two suites in the building located at 8040 Greenback Ln. which houses nine suites total, leasing materials show.
The two suits 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 with five seats each.
The small strip mall has 52 existing shared parking spaces, along with three handicap parking spaces.
Valencia is seeking approval to change the permitted use for suites H and I from LC Zone to a public/private meeting facility use, saying in a letter submitted to the city in early May that the change is driven by wanting to grow his primary business and wanting to provide a benefit to the community.
As part of this project, Sacramento Metro Fire has required to install a four-hour-rated separation wall to create a distinct, separate structure within the building. The wall would effectively transform Suites H and I into an independent unit, creating a second address.
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.
Plans for the proposed banquet hall were last updated on May 20, city project documentation shows.
The daughter of the applicant, Evelyn Valencia, also recently opened Sweet Music Studio Cafe in the same building.
