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Commission approves lease for Ghost Orchid LLC at Village Art Plaza despite neighborhood opposition
Summary
The commission voted 5-0 to approve a lease for commercial space in the Village Art Plaza area; some neighbors had urged the city to reconsider a restaurant-brewery use close to the park.
The Sunrise City Commission on April 8 approved a lease for commercial space at units on Sunset Strip, authorizing an agreement with Ghost Orchid LLC for two units near the Village Art Plaza and City Park. The ordinance and lease (second reading) passed 5-0 after public discussion and a period of public comment.
The item prompted a sustained discussion about the appropriate commercial mix around the Village Art Plaza and whether a restaurant that brews or serves alcohol is suitable next to a park and splash pad. Resident Shirley Robinson told the commission she and other neighbors were not aware a brewery-style operation was under consideration and asked the commission to “reconsider the location” and to follow the master-plan direction for the Main Street concept. Robinson said the master plan had suggested other opportunity sites for a brewery and that the Plaza site should prioritize family-friendly uses.
Commissioners and staff exchanged details about the project during the discussion. Commissioner Joseph Scudo said the city had worked for years to activate the Main Street corridor and described the proposed tenant as one of several kinds of retail or restaurant that would bring activity to the area. Commissioner Latoya Clark requested clarity about the scope of operations — noting the lease language used the terms “brewery” and “distillery” — and staff confirmed the tenant intends on-site brewing and limited on-site sales for take-home containers (growlers) but not retail liquor sales typical of a liquor store.
City Manager Mark Labelski and staff described the lease structure: the city will fund permanent building envelope improvements (doors, windows and other structural work) while tenant-funded interior buildout (kitchen equipment, fixed furnishings) will remain tenant responsibility. Commissioners acknowledged resident concerns; Deputy Mayor Neil Kirch said staff and the police department would monitor the operation and act if problems emerged. After debate, the lease was approved by unanimous vote.
