Council denies Boulevard Mart Series 10 beer-and-wine license application over zoning conflict

The Avondale City Council on June 16 voted 7–0 to deny a Series 10 beer-and-wine store liquor license application for Boulevard Mart, proposed at 645 North Avondale Boulevard in the Boulevard District.

City Clerk Marcela outlined staff findings that the Boulevard zoning district and Park Avenue subdistrict do not permit convenience stores, smoke shops or beer-and-wine-store uses and that the Boulevard land-use matrix omits that use. She also noted the applicant had not paid the $250 liquor license application fee. Because the use is not permitted in the zoning district, staff recommended the council deny the application and placed the item on the agenda as a public hearing so the applicant could speak; no representative appeared.

Nut graf: Council emphasized the decision was based on zoning rules rather than opposition to small businesses; Mayor Peneva said denial is not intended “to prevent a business from operating” but to enforce zoning criteria.

The council opened the public hearing, heard no applicant or public testimony, then voted to deny the application. The motion to deny passed 7–0.

Ending: The clerk said required postings were completed and no public comments had been received; the applicant may pursue alternatives consistent with zoning or seek a zoning change if desired.