DIXON, CA (MPG) - On Maslow’s pyramid of the hierarchy of needs, enjoying a night out with friends at a Dixon whiskey bar would not be considered a basic human need, however, in order for the public to benefit – be granted a PCN, or Public Convenience or Necessity – from the old Bank of America building getting restored and a restaurant to get established, serving alcohol is essential for that project to succeed.

That is one of many reasons the city council has twice agreed with the City Planning Commission’s approval and twice denied appeals from downtown resident Ginger Emerson and the Calvary Church Pastor’s wife to stop husband and wife, Tiffany Fabiani and Edward Renger’s business from opening. Whiskey Barrell 707, a proposed upscale pub and lounge offering live entertainment, had originally been scheduled for its grand opening in June of 2022 in downtown Dixon on North First Street.

After a full year of opposition by a handful of people led by the unofficial “Old Town Neighbors” advocate Emerson, discussions of parking, loitering, security, drunk driving, noise, elderly neighbors, crime, oversaturation of liquor licensing, pedestrians, school children, and more, have been addressed to the satisfaction of the City of Dixon.

At the beginning of the meeting, District 3 Council Representative Kevin Johnson chose to recuse himself saying the couple were his real estate clients and left the room. District 1 Council Rep Thom Bogue was out of town leaving three Councilmen to make the decision regarding the appeal filed by Emerson.

“First and foremost, I want to commend all the city departments that have too, endured exhaustive efforts preparing responses to overly broad and overreaching protests submitted by one Ginger Emerson in an effort to dredge up mud and evidence of wrongdoings by myself and City staff,” Tiffany read from a statement. “We have been above board in all of our workings with the City and the State. We have not asked for favors, exceptions nor variances and have accepted and abided by all permitting requirements demanded of us.” She then asked everyone in the room who supported this project to stand and raise their hand. More than 50 people showed support, many of whom spoke at the podium and several more spoke via online Zoom, including the owner of that building who encouraged approval.

Fabiani was prepared with several exhibits to refute claims made by Emerson and the church such as copies of official 2003 City Planning meeting minutes when Pastor Brock was trying to get his own Conditional Use Permit approved where he stated on record that he would not interfere with future businesses downtown who apply for ABC licenses when then Downtown Dixon Business Association President Rob Salaber objected to the church in the center of downtown as it was not the best use of the building.

“Why didn’t [Pastor Brock] protest the other two businesses that literally, physically sit on both sides of the church building who also serve alcohol and host gatherings?” she asked. “Why didn’t he appeal to the City to not build an open, public live entertainment venue now known as Pardi Plaza that also sits less than 100 feet away from the church?”

Fabiani stated their entertainment is proposed for Friday and Saturday nights – times the church told ABC they don’t hold events or gatherings. Additionally, they held an informal sound test, and one could not hear anything coming out of their brick-walled building.

The Councilmen and Mayor Steve Bird closed stating why they were for the project.

Mayor Bird said that in the past when he saw downtown Dixon “dying,” there was a young cook working at Cattlemens who went to Winters to open the extremely successful Buckhorn Restaurant. He saw that as a “missed opportunity” for Dixon and expressed hopeful optimism for growth here now.

“In all of the 30 years that I’ve been here, I am starting to see a change downtown. We have the Pardi Plaza now and [businesses like] Pip’s. These little businesses popping up are starting to give that feel of what we’ve been trying to do for years. It’s been a long time coming,” he said.

City Attorney Doug White interjected a few times to make sure it was clear for the Councilmen that the motion to deny the appeal meant in favor of the Rengers to move ahead. He also noted that the council needed all three votes to agree or whatever motion would fail. It passed 3 – 0. To review the video of the meeting, go to cityofdixon.us.

From here, a legal court proceeding with an adjudicating judge who will listen to ABC, the protestants and the Rengers as applicants will occur on May 11. The judge will make a final recommendation to the ABC office official who will make a final determination within 30 days of the hearing.