Planning commission approves Chevron permit to add full liquor sales

The City of Lamar Planning Commission voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2025-01, approving Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 2024-03 to allow the on-site sale of distilled spirits for off-site consumption at the Chevron store at 19½ Avenue.

The vote followed staff presentation and brief commissioner discussion on concentration rules and public-safety considerations. Steve Brandt, city planner, told commissioners the site previously was licensed for beer-and-wine (Type 20) sales and that the CUP would permit a Type 21 license (beer, wine and distilled spirits). "This conditional use permit would allow them to also sell the hard liquor," Brandt said, adding that city departments and the city manager had reviewed the proposal and staff recommended approval with standard conditions requiring the applicant to obtain the appropriate ABC license.

The nut graf: The commission found the location met local ordinance distance requirements and other findings required by code, including the lack of parks, schools or religious uses within the 500-foot buffer described in the staff report. Commissioners also discussed concentration of alcohol retailers by census tract; Brandt said the city evaluates concentration at the census-tract level and that a threshold triggers the need for findings on convenience and public safety.

Supporting details: Commissioners asked whether the approval would increase DUIs or sales-tax revenue. Brandt said the city does not estimate revenue impacts and that law enforcement typically tracks crime and incident data; he noted concentration rules aim at public-safety concerns and stem from state law. Commissioners also commented on fairness for competing businesses, with one commissioner saying, "from a fairness standpoint for business, I would say approve it," and another noting police and staff had "done the homework" and supported the findings.

Votes and formal action: Commissioner Brewer made the motion to adopt Resolution 2025-01 approving CUP 2024-03; Commissioner Franklin seconded. The roll call was Commissioner Clement: Aye; Commissioner Franklin: Aye; Commissioner Brewer: Aye; Commissioner Echagon: Aye; Commissioner Couch (chair): Aye. The resolution passed and the permit was approved, subject to the standard conditions listed in the resolution and the applicant obtaining required ABC permits.

Ending: The commission closed public comment on the item after one resident spoke to procedural questions about ABC mapping and census-tract counts. The permit will be effective after the applicant completes licensing steps required by the city and state ABC.