Auburn adopts entertainment zone as Loomis studies plans

While the city of Auburn is approving two downtown entertainment districts for open drinking, nearby Loomis is studying the idea. Entertainment zones are designated areas for legal alcoholic beverage drinking on public streets, sidewalks or public rights-of-way during special events. State Senate Bill 76 first allowed entertainment zones in San Francisco two years ago. This law was amended in 2024 to allow entertainment zones throughout the state. The Auburn City Council held the first reading of a new ordinance Oct. 13, with the second reading scheduled this week. One Auburn zone is along Commercial Street, Washington Street and Sacramento Street in Old Town. Another zone is not far away along Lincoln Way and High Street downtown. Public sidewalks, plazas and parks along these sections are also included. The Auburn entertainment zones are set to operate Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., officials said. "Business owners recognize the potential to increase economic activity, attract visitors and create a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere," said Auburn Economic Development Director Jonathan Wright in his report. Permitted beverages in the zones are limited to 12-ounce beers, five-ounce wine and 12-ounce mixed drinks with no more than one ounce of distilled spirits. All beverages must be served in city-approved non-glass, non-metal containers, such as branded plastic cups, staff said. Participants must be 21 with a wristband, stamp or similar method. Only alcoholic drinks bought from authorized establishments in the zones may be consumed. "Some cities have zones, some multiple zones," Loomis Town Planning Director Christy Consolini said Oct. 14. The city of Sacramento features a handful of E-zones, including K Street, Lavender Heights, Convention Center, the Handle District and the R Street "Ice Blocks." Suisun City also recently declared one. Despite opposition from downtown residents, the Loomis Town Council agreed Oct. 14 to form an ad-hoc committee to study a zone "shed to shed" along Taylor Road downtown. The Loomis Retail Association recently proposed a draft plan for a zone along the main street from 3565 to 3790 Taylor Road. A Loomis zone would require amending the municipal code regarding business taxes, licenses, regulation, health and safety and zoning. An ad-hoc committee would develop a zone management plan. Councilmembers Jan Clark-Crets and Amanda Cortez were named to the committee. "The Loomis Retail Association is definitely very interested in this," said Clark-Crets. "Our businesses downtown feel it will be a real positive." Local resident Rachel Halverson said she spoke with 75 percent of residents on Oak, Walnut, Becky, Circle, Callison and Magnolia streets downtown. "We have all seen an increase in crime and creepy activities since the breweries came," said Halverson at the Oct. 13 meeting. During her 17 years living downtown, Halverson said she saw Loomis turn from a youth-oriented "antiques land" to "brewery land." "Time and again, we don't invest dollars toward our kids or downtown residents," said Halverson. "I think it's definitely worth looking into. If nothing else, at least on a trial basis. It could be an economic driver," said Cortez.