Council told liquor license recommendation removed after applicant resolves safety and debt issues; zoning nonconformity remains
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Summary
City staff told the Mesa City Council at its Aug. 18 study session that a recommendation for denial on an Aug. 25 liquor-license item would be removed after the applicant addressed fire-safety and outstanding debt issues, though zoning nonconformities remain at the site.
City staff told the Mesa City Council at its Aug. 18 study session that a recommendation for denial on an Aug. 25 liquor-license item (agenda item 3a) would be removed after the applicant resolved several outstanding issues, though the site remains legally nonconforming under current zoning.
A staff representative said the recommendation for denial has been removed because the applicant addressed the operational fire-safety permit requirement and settled outstanding debt to the city. The staff representative said those steps "allow[] us to move forward" with a recommendation for approval to the liquor board.
Ed, a city staff member who clarified the record, explained the property is a former AM/PM gas station on the southwest corner of University and Lindsay that is legally nonconforming and has been closed for more than a year. He told the council that "zoning alone is not a reason for us to recommend denial to the liquor board," and that the applicant may seek a liquor license from the liquor board but will need to resolve zoning nonconformities before opening an establishment at the site.
Councilmember Adams asked for more specific information about the conflict between the proposed use and existing zoning; staff said they would provide backup materials to clarify outstanding zoning issues before the next meeting. Earlier in the session staff also corrected agenda language for items 9a and 9b, noting the Planning and Zoning board voted 4-0 on both items; staff said the published language for staff and P&Z recommendations had been swapped and clarified the record for council.
No formal council vote was recorded on the Aug. 18 study-session item; staff described the change in recommendation and the remaining zoning steps the applicant must take before operating at the site.
The council did not take further formal action at the study session; staff will supply additional zoning details and backup documents for the Aug. 25 meeting.
