Council approves alcohol‑distance variance for Everest Gas and Food Mart at 3301 Broadway Boulevard

GARLAND, Texas — The Garland City Council approved a variance June 3 allowing Everest Gas and Food Mart at 3301 Broadway Boulevard to pursue a wine and beer retailers permit despite being closer than the 300‑foot separation ordinarily required from a school.

City staff told council they had rechecked enforcement records and found no alcohol‑related violations at the site in the past five years; police records showed other calls to the property (burglary, etc.) but no recent alcohol enforcement actions tied to the store. Staff also said the school district was notified and acknowledged the hearing but provided no formal comment in favor or opposition.

Property owner Niles Kolakki and applicant Sanjay Sir both spoke at the meeting. Kolakki said he has owned the property since 2011 and that the proposed tenant has more than 14 years of convenience‑store experience; Sir described a long record of compliance at other locations and said the store has sold beer and wine on and off for more than a decade.

Resident Lindsay Fiegelman urged caution, cited a history of a nearby address operating without a TABC license for years and noted the store is adjacent to a church and a mosque. Council member Williams said he had visited the site and the high school and supported the variance, noting a new, six‑foot chain‑link fence and the difficulty for students to cross the intervening area. Council member Dutton recorded the sole vote in opposition.

Action and vote

- Motion: approve a variance to allow beer and wine sales at 3301 Broadway Boulevard despite the distance requirement. - Mover: Council member Williams. Second: Council member Beard. - Outcome: approved. Council member Dutton recorded the lone dissent.

Details and clarifications

- Site: 3301 Broadway Boulevard, District 4; property size noted by staff as 0.68 acres and zoned Community Retail. - Applicant: Everest Gas and Food Mart Inc. Staff noted the store’s current wine/beer permit is due to expire in July and that a new permit would be required. - Prior variances: staff noted a different address nearby (3405 Broadway) previously received an alcohol‑distance variance in 2019 and has no expiration tied to that earlier variance.

Speakers

- Niles Kolakki, property owner (3301 Broadway Boulevard) - Sanjay Sir (applicant / Everest Gas operator) - Lindsay Fiegelman, Garland resident (1330 Surrey Court) - Council member Williams - Council member Dutton - Council member Beard - Nabila (Staff member)

Provenance

- {"block_id":"block_851.39","local_start":0,"local_end":480,"evidence_excerpt":"First up is item 9 a. Consider request by Everest Gas and Food Mart Inc for approval of a variance regarding a distance less than 300 feet minimum separation to South Garland High School from an establishment that sells alcoholic beverages... This site is located at 3301 Broadway Boulevard in District 4."}

- {"block_id":"block_1755.915","local_start":0,"local_end":140,"evidence_excerpt":"I offer a motion, for approval of the requested variant, for this business to operate for the specified time. I have motion by council member Williams. I have a second by council member Beard to approve this item as presented. ... And that item is approved, with council member Dutton in opposition."}

Why the decision matters

City staff said the variance is an exception that does not change the property's zoning; approval allows the applicant to pursue the required TABC license and operate under city conditions. Opponents focused on licensing history at nearby addresses, notification limits and proximity to a church and mosque.

Searchable tags

everest gas; alcohol variance; South Garland High School; retail license; TABC