Board denies request to allow liquor sales at Speedy Mart, 926 Lynn Street, after 3‑1 vote

The Waterloo Board of Adjustments on July 22 denied a request to change conditions on a nonconforming convenience store at 926 Lynn Street so it could sell liquor beyond beer and wine, voting 3‑1 to uphold the existing restriction. Planning staff summarized the request and recommended denial, saying the property is zoned R2 (two‑family residence), is surrounded by residential uses and is classified as low‑density residential on the city’s future land use map (City of Waterloo Comprehensive Plan, adopted Feb. 3, 2003). Staff cited concerns that allowing full liquor sales could increase traffic and congestion, alter the low‑density residential character of the area, and would not conform to the future land use map. Staff also told the board that the site has a history of…