Council approves variances, liquor-license transfers, plats and developer agreements; awards package liquor license to Thunderbird Lodge

Mitchell — The Mitchell City Council on March 3 approved a bundle of land-use, licensing and development items, including variance permits, plats, developer agreements and liquor-license actions.

Board of Adjustment items: The council, sitting as the board of adjustment, approved a variance permit for Todd and Kay Long (shelterbelt west of 40692 Chase Court) after a planning commission recommendation of approval. The council also approved a rear-yard setback variance for Todd and Nancy Boyd at 155 South Harmon Boulevard; staff said the request was supported by site plans and one supportive neighbor response.

Liquor licenses and transfers: Council approved the transfer of a retail on-sale liquor license for Flats on Havens LLC to Gojek, Inc., doing business as Amor Italian Restaurante and Bar at 1525 West Havens Avenue, including video lottery where applicable. The council also awarded package liquor license P.L.4686 to Roddy LLC doing business as the Thunderbird Lodge for a high sealed bid of $51,000; staff confirmed the package license carries no video-lottery privileges.

Developer agreements and engineering contracts: The council approved an agreement with McClory Engineering for design and bid-phase services for the Thirteenth Avenue and Wisconsin storm-drainage improvements (staff recommended a maximum fee of $79,000) and approved a developer's agreement for Ridgeview on Foster Phase 1 with Mitchell Area Housing, Inc. (MAHI) that includes street and utility obligations and an upgraded lift-station conversion.

Plats and resolutions: Council approved multiple plats and resolutions, including R2025-12 through R2025-15, which staff said comply with planning recommendations and the city's zoning and master plans.

Other fiscal actions: Council approved an interfund loan to the municipal golf course to finance replacement equipment rather than using outside financing; the loan amount discussed was approximately $242,000, with monthly/annual repayment included in the golf fund budget. City staff said the golf fund generated surplus revenue in 2024 and that the loan would be repaid from future golf-course revenues; the council approved the loan and set the interest rate to reflect the city's internal earnings rather than a higher external financing rate.

Votes at a glance

- Variance permit: Todd and Kay Long (shelterbelt west of 40692 Chase Court) — Approved (motion carried; no opposition recorded).

- Variance permit: Todd and Nancy Boyd (155 South Harmon Boulevard) — Approved (motion carried; no opposition recorded).

- Transfer retail on-sale liquor license RL 5,756 from Flats on Havens LLC to Gojek, Inc. d/b/a Amor Italian Restaurante and Bar (1525 West Havens Ave.) — Approved (voice vote; motion carried).

- Package liquor license P.L.4686 awarded to Roddy LLC d/b/a Thunderbird Lodge (highest sealed bid $51,000) — Approved (motion carried).

- Agreement A2025-13: Thirteenth & Wisconsin storm drainage improvements (McClory Engineering) — Approved (fee not to exceed $79,000; motion carried).

- Agreement A2025-19: Developer's agreement for Ridgeview on Foster Phase 1 (Mitchell Area Housing Inc.) — Approved (motion carried).

- Agreement A2025-20: Mitchell Ice Arena roof repairs (Design Arc Group; design fee $6,500) — Approved (motion carried earlier in meeting).

- Plats and resolutions (R2025-12, R2025-13, R2025-14, R2025-15 and related plats) — Approved (motions carried by voice votes; one abstention recorded on a plat vote noted in the minutes).

- Interfund loan to the golf course for equipment ($242,000) — Approved (motion carried).