Eric Tessie voices concerns over Boulder restaurant's liquor license and event impact

The Boulder City Beverage Licensing Authority convened on August 2, 2025, to discuss various matters related to local beverage licensing, with a focus on community concerns regarding a proposed restaurant near the reservoir.

The meeting began with public comments, where resident Eric Tessie expressed his concerns about the potential impact of the new restaurant on the already busy area. Tessie, who has lived on the road to the reservoir since 1991, highlighted his previous experiences with a different restaurant proposal that faced significant community resistance. He noted that the previous proposal was disapproved after a lengthy meeting, indicating a strong local sentiment against it.

Tessie acknowledged the restaurant's planned closing time of 9:00 PM but raised concerns about the potential for extended hours through special event permits. He pointed out that the area already hosts 30 to 35 large public events annually, along with traffic from a regional fire training center, which contributes to congestion and safety issues. He emphasized the need for a good neighbor agreement with the restaurant owner to ensure that no special petitions for extended hours are granted, as he believes the current level of activity is already overwhelming for the community.

The discussion underscored the importance of balancing business interests with community safety and quality of life, as residents voiced their apprehensions about increased traffic, noise, and safety risks associated with the proposed restaurant's operations. The meeting concluded with a commitment to consider these concerns as the authority deliberates on the liquor license application. Further discussions and decisions regarding the proposal are expected in upcoming meetings.