DIXON, CA (MPG) - The bright promise of an upscale Whiskey Bar to bring a potentially thriving regional nightlife spot to downtown Dixon is dimming thanks to a voiceful elderly resident of downtown, downtown neighbors, and the pastors of Calvary Chapel Church to stop it.

The Whiskey Barrel 707 was planned for the former Bank of America location that has sat empty for the past five years and would offer music and dancing on Friday and Saturday evenings.

“We are preparing to open a brews, blues and whiskey tasting room, and live music venue. While we will have a fully stocked bar, the specialty whiskey/whisky tasting will be in the old bank vault, equipped with a fireplace and old rustic lounge furniture (think 1940’s cigar club),” posted Tiffany Fabiani-Renger, who with her husband Edward own the business. Edward Renger applied for the alcohol permit.

When Ginger Emerson, a former City Council candidate, spoke against the venue at the City Planning Commission, her 11-page letter with 21-page supporting documents had a focus on wrongful notice to the public and more so, the over saturation of liquor licenses in the downtown core citing there were already too many. She also complained of “drunkards urinating on her front porch.”

Emerson is a downtown resident living a few blocks from the Pardi Plaza, which is actually a block closer to her home. The new bar will be used for numerous events and assemblies in the near future, many of which will feature alcohol. Currently, Bud’s Pub, Dawson’s, Luke’s Lounge, Pip Wine Bar and The Frying Pan all have permits to serve alcohol.

Fabiani-Renger, who served four years on Dixon’s Planning Commission and who also served on the Northeast Quadrant and the Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committees, was more than prepared to address any issues and with the Commissioners feeling satisfied the concerns that had been addressed, all but one approved. Commissioner Loraine Hernandez-Covello wanted more public oversight to the makeup of the sound wall/property boundary, to come back for approval to ensure it was an efficient barrier.

When the project went to the City Council for approval on March 15, with endorsement from Raffi Boloyan, Community Development Director, most comments were expressed with optimism and excitement for the establishment to bring new “synergy” to the downtown core. It passed 4-0 with Dist. 2 Rep Jim Ernest absent.

There were nine letters appealing to the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Concerns included children walking to school on B Street which is designated a “safe route for schools,” the residential apartments on the other side of the alley, and traffic on busy highway 113 among others. They have been reviewed and four will be presented in a hearing with ABC this week, according to Fabiani-Renger.

The four letters are from Emerson, Deborah Allen, and two are from the same church, Calvary Chapel, that was able to purchase a long-abandoned movie theater in 2003 in the center of the main block of downtown, despite some business organizations felt it was an inappropriate place for a church. It has thrived although it is sandwiched between two liquor-serving businesses: Pip Wine Bar that serves charcuterie board refreshments and The Frying Pan that serves Japanese cuisine.

“A night club just doors down will create excessive noise in our venue and interfere with the quiet enjoyment of the church property,” Donna Brock, the Pastor’s wife, wrote. She also noted that a pastor lives on site and music till 2 am would be disruptive to sleep. Allen wanted a traffic study.

“So much of our proposed business is related to entertainment and creating a safe gathering place for adults in Dixon,” said Fabiani-Renger. “We’re very limited if we can’t get an approval on our use permit. It would be very difficult to create our primary atmosphere without our ABC license that would bring revenue and tax dollars to the city.

Fabiani-Renger said Emerson has picked up on some words that in another era meant dirty and perhaps in this generation, “skanky,” but was meant to be a “fun Facebook announcement” alongside photos of elegant velvet green lounging seats and crafted cocktails she posted on Facebook.

Emerson did not want to comment.

“I’m really frustrated,” Fabiani-Renger said. “Our lot is private. It will be beautifully landscaped and have an abundance of security. We intend to operate a classy establishment. For us, a regional draw is significant. If you can’t have music or dancing or karaoke, it wouldn’t make sense for us to continue. We’re facing adversity but it doesn’t mean we’re defeated. There is a public process for a reason and we’ll go through it "' and the end goals for downtown will prevail.” The hearing for their appeal is April 19.