A Mexican restaurant in northwest Fresno will be allowed to serve cocktails, in addition to beer and wine.

The Fresno planning Commission voted 4-0 Wednesday (May 3) to follow city staff’s recommendation to grant Sabor MX Mexican Bistro an expanded liquor license and deny an appeal filed by the Fresno Unified School District.

As GV Wire previewed, the school district regularly objects to any liquor license filed for locations within 600 feet of a school (note: in GV Wire’s previous story, Fresno Unified spokesman Miguel Arias said 1,000 feet). Sabor MX is 580 feet north of Figarden Elementary School.

The brief hearing began with a city staff presentation on the application. Restaurant owner Alberto Torres then spoke, saying his business would not pose any threat to students; that they are closed as school is let out (in between lunch and dinner hours). He also said his customers have been asking for liquor service.

Deana Clayton, representing Fresno Unified, spoke to say “the district’s sole opposition is due to proximity.”

Commissioners Kathy Bray and Lawrence Garcia praised Sabor MX before the vote. They voted in favor, joined by Serop Torossian and Rojelio Vasquez (members Cary Catalano, Jaime Holt and Randy Reed were absent).

GV Wire readers on Facebook were not happy that the school district even filed an appeal.  “….assinine [sic]……there’s a full blown liquor store just north….” wrote Keith Hansen.

Former Fresno councilman Jerry Duncan was a little more blunt with his language (which will not be repeated here). He felt “Council should approve it.”

Jeff Linder wrote: “This is why FUSD is a total joke. Stevens Bicycle Shop is in the same complex. It might be that bikes can be harmful to kids. Then, as Keith noted, there’s a Liquor store, not to mention the Waffle Shop that might temp kids to gobble up a whole plate of bacon/sausage, eggs, waffles with butter and syrup, and then trip on over to the tanning salon for an after breakfast tan. Our schools and city government are run by morons.”

Afterward, Sabor MX posted: “Hello everyone, last night the Planning Commission did vote and granted us the CUP required for the licence [sic] upgrade. Thank you everyone for their support and thank you GVWire for the article.”

Watch the video above for Wednesday’s (May 3) Planning Commission discussion on Sabor’s liquor license.

What are your thoughts? Leave your comments below.

Contact David Taub

Phone: 559-492-4037 / e-mail

This story was not subject to the approval of Granville Homes.

Want these stories delivered directly to your e-mail inbox? Subscribe today.