EL CAJON, Calif. — Could more options for nightlife be coming to El Cajon?
Current regulations are currently blocking the way for more bars and clubs to open, especially in the downtown area.
But a new push to revise those rules could change that.
El Cajon City Council passed these zoning restrictions back in 1995, making it more difficult for new bars to open in the city. But now, nearly three decades later, some are questioning whether it's time to change course.
"It's pretty dead," said El Cajon resident Rebecca Phillips. "There's not a lot of things happening unfortunately, things close early."
She believes more bars and clubs in El Cajon would be a welcome addition.
"You always have to go to downtown San Diego, and it's a bummer because you have to spend money on an Uber to come home," she added, "so instead of being able to walk to the nightlife, it's kind of a hassle."
"It seems like our sidewalks almost roll up at night, said El Cajon City Council Member Michelle Metschel, who is passionate about bringing some life back into her city's nightlife.
"It is time!" she told CBS 8.
Zoning rules passed in the 1990s were in response to rising crime linked with some businesses serving alcohol.
But times have changed.
"We've had plenty of time to get the bad characters out of town," Metshcel said. "We need to get some more entertainment and we need to draw the money in to El Cajon."
"It's not the first place I'd think of when you talk about nightlife," said Del Cerro resident Ryan Fisher, who came to El Cajon to check out the weekly car show.
While he's lukewarm on the idea of more bars, he is more open to new restaurants here to draw folks in
"Look at downtown La Mesa," he added. "If you did that here, that's what I think might work."
For Metschel, bringing in new eating and entertainment options would bring in more dollars to the local economy.
"There's a lot of places that maybe are doing really well, like in Little Italy or the Gaslamp that maybe would like to expand out, just a small little place out here in El Cajon: we have the business out here!"
El Cajon's Planning Commission will now draft new recommendations for this move to be able to open more bars. City Council will likely vote on them some time early next year.