Note: This story has been updated to include comment from Modern Times CEO Jacob McKean, received earlier this week.
ENCINITAS — Modern Times is revising its plans for a beer-only tasting room in Encinitas to include food, a week before the City Council was set to determine the previous plan’s fate, Encinitas planning officials said this week.
The announcement comes less than two weeks before the Encinitas City Council was slated to consider an appeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of the proposed 150-seat tasting room.
“Modern Times is revising the application to withdraw the beer tasting room request and instead, request a restaurant with beer service,” City Planner Roy Sapa’u said in an email Sept. 29. “Because of the change, the appeal is withdrawn and the revised application will go back to the Planning Commission.”
The Planning Commission approved Modern Times’ application in July by a 3-2 vote amid concerns from residents and the Sheriff’s Department that the tasting room would exacerbate downtown’s current issues with alcohol-serving establishments, specifically in that quadrant of downtown.
A citizens group called the Encinitas Citizens Committee filed the appeal on Aug. 17.
There is no timetable as to when the brewery will complete the revised plans or when the Planning Commission will hear them.
Modern Times’ previously proposed a 150-seat tasting room facility in a former retail building near the corner of D Street and Coast Highway 101, including 1,980 square feet of bar service area, 106 square feet of retail and the remaining square footage for a bar area, cold storage, restrooms and an office.
Modern Times CEO Jacob McKean said in an email that after receiving feedback from the community, stakeholders and the city, the company decided changing the plans was the best course of action.
“After meeting with several stakeholders and city staff, we felt it was best to amend our plans and open a restaurant,” McKean said. “We value the feedback we’ve gained throughout the process and look forward to working closely with the City and community as we strive to bring Modern Times to Downtown Encinitas.”
