Title
Backstage Café and Bar (P25-019) [Noticed 04/10/2026; Published 04/10/2026]
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FileID
File ID: 2026-00842
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Location
Location: 1812 D Street, APN 003-0121-005-0000, District 4
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Recommendation
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion pass a Motion to approve: 1) Environmental Exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15301, (Existing Facilities), 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), and 15332 (In-Fill Development); 2) Conditional Use Permit to establish a bar use within an approximately 2,600 square foot building within the Heavy Commercial (C-4-SPD) zone and Central City Special Planning District (SPD); and 3) Site Plan and Design Review for exterior patio improvements.
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Contact
Contact: Michael Crampton, Assistant Planner, (916) 808-8951, mcrampton@cityofsacramento.org; Karlo Felix, Senior Planner, (916) 808-7183, kfelix@cityofsacramento.org; Community Development Department
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Presenter
Presenter: Michael Crampton, Assistant Planner, (916) 808-8951, mcrampton@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
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Applicant
Applicant: Backstage Brewing Co., Dave Herrera, 1420 E Roseville Pkwy Suite 140-267, Roseville, CA 95661, (916) 821-9866, westcoastpromo@hotmail.com
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Property Owner
Property Owner: Backstage Brewing Co., Dave Herrera, 1420 E Roseville Pkwy Suite 140-267, Roseville, CA 95661, (916) 821-9866, westcoastpromo@hotmail.com
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Background
3-Findings of Fact and Conditions of Approval
4-Exhibit A: Plans
5-Public Comments
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: The applicant is requesting to establish a taproom/café (bar) within a 2,600 square foot recording studio on the south-side of D Street between 18th and 19th Streets within the Heavy Commercial (C-4-SPD) zone and Central City Special Planning District (SPD). The project includes minor exterior building modifications and patio improvements for outdoor seating. The taproom/café is proposed to operate Monday through Sunday from 07:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and will offer coffee, pastries, and light snacks. The business proposes the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages through a California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Type-48 license (on-sale general - public premises) which, if granted, allows for the sale of beer, wine, and distilled spirits. Because the business is not serving a full menu of food options, a use permit to sell alcohol is required.
The project requires Planning and Design Commission review of: 1) a Conditional Use Permit to authorize a “bar” use; and 2) Site Plan and Design Review for exterior patio improvements.
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Public/NeighborhoodOutreachComments
Public/Neighborhood Outreach and Comments: Staff routed the proposal to community groups within 500 feet of the site including: Civic Thread, Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates, Preservation Sacramento, Washington Park Neighborhood Association, Marshall-New Era Neighborhood Association, and Boulevard Park Neighborhood Association. These community groups as well as property owners and current residents/businesses within 500 feet of the project site were sent a notice of the April 23, 2026 Planning and Design Commission meeting. Staff received two public comment letters expressing concerns related to proximity to sensitive uses, perceived parking impacts, noise, and overall safety issues. The letters are included in this report as Attachment 5. No other comments have been received as of the publication of this report.
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations:
General Plan
The project site is located within the Employment Mixed Use (EMU) General Plan designation which is intended to buffer residential uses from more intense industrial and service commercial activities and to provide compatible employment uses near higher-density and mixed-use housing. This designation provides for a range of light industrial and high technology uses. The proposed project is consistent with the EMU designation as a taproom/café use will provide services to the surrounding employees and neighborhood residents and also serves as a buffer between the surrounding neighborhood and the more intense industrial and service commercial activities to the north. Furthermore, the conversion of the front parking lot into a patio activates the pedestrian realm by providing a new establishment for residents to socialize that is walking distance to the surrounding neighborhood.
In addition to the project’s consistency with the EMU designation, the project is also consistent with the following goals and policies from the 2040 General Plan:
Goal LUP-2. Balanced and connected community with thriving neighborhoods and centers and development intensities linked to transit.
Policy LUP-2.1 Overall Balance of Uses. The City should encourage a balance and a mix of employment, residential, commercial, cultural, and tourism-related uses, as well as a full range of amenities and services necessary to support a thriving city.
The project is consistent with the goals and policies above in that the new business contributes to the continued resurgence of the Central City by establishing a neighborhood-serving taproom/café with alcohol sales available to patrons. The project, as conditioned, will increase commercial services in the Central City while also ensuring the business conducts itself as a responsible neighbor to the surrounding community.
Goal LUP-6. A city of healthy, livable, “complete neighborhoods” that provide for residents’ daily needs within easy walking or biking distance from home.
Policy LUP-6.1 Neighborhoods as a Basic Unit. Recognizing Sacramento’s neighborhoods as foundational elements of the city’s urban structure, the City shall work to enhance their livability through the development of plans and programs.
The project is consistent with the goal and policy above in that the project provides for the expansion of neighborhood commercial services that will cater to the daily needs of the surrounding neighborhood. The business will be located on an existing commercial site, converting a parking area adjacent to the street to a seating area for patrons, enhancing the livability and walkability of the area. Through the implementation of the conditions of approval and recommendations by the Police Department to ABC for the license, the taproom/café can contribute positively to the cultural fabric of the neighborhood by fostering economic development and a full range of amenities necessary to support a neighborhood.
Central City Specific Plan
The subject property is located within the Central City Specific Plan. Overall, the project is consistent with the Specific Plan and further supports the plan’s emphasis for continued activation of the Central City and the continued development of active and complete neighborhoods. The new business supports Specific Plan goals to maintain a mix of uses that sustain a vital urban environment, support investment in existing buildings and sites, and the provision of services that contribute to the social infrastructure of Central City neighborhoods.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: The Community Development Department, Environmental Planning Services has reviewed this project and determined that it is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15301 (Existing Facilities - Class 1), 15303 (New Construction or Conversion or Small Structures - Class 3), and 15332 (In-Fill Development - Class 32). Class 1 consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible expansion of existing or former use. Class 3 consists of the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures, including accessory structures like fences, lights, etc. Class 32 consists of projects consistent with applicable GP LU designation and zoning regulations, on parcels within city limits on no more than five acres, where the site has no value as habitat for rare, threatened, or endangered species, and approval of the project would not result in any significant effects related to traffic, noise, air, or water quality. The project qualifies for these exemptions because it involves the operation of a business within an existing building and involves only minor site improvements for new fencing and landscaping.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the project subject to the draft findings of fact and conditions of approval listed in Attachment 3. Staff’s recommendation is based on findings that the project: a) is consistent with the established goals and implementing policies within the EMU designation, the Central City Specific Plan, the C-4-SPD zone, and the Central City SPD; b) is appropriate for the site characteristics and is compatible with surrounding uses in the neighborhood; c) will not negatively impact surrounding properties as conditioned; and d) expands the commercial offerings in a mixed-use neighborhood and pedestrian-oriented area of the City.
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
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LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): No goods or services are being purchased under this report.
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