Redstone Boulevard Barrel liquor-license hearing continued after neighbors object to hours, site violations

The Board of County Commissioners continued a liquor-license application for Boulevard Barrel, a wine and retail shop in Redstone, after neighbors and the board raised concerns about unpermitted on-site consumption, parking and remaining community-development violations.

At the March 12 hearing, applicant Justin Abad said he was committed to working with neighbors and staff. He told commissioners he had “tried to remain as transparent as possible” while pursuing permits and that he and his daughter intended to stay in the community.

Neighbors described repeated disturbances. Matt Schumacher, who lives above the shop, said his family had been unable to support the application and that previous photo evidence and correspondence show violations on the property. Jason James, another nearby resident, told the board he believed the application “should be denied” because the site plan and proposed operations omitted information about how outdoor space would be used and how a landscape buffer would constrain occupancy.

County staff confirmed the applicant currently holds a fermented-malt-beverage and wine retail license that allows only off-premise sales. The new application would add on-premise consumption and a takeout/delivery permit. Liquor licensing administrator Sam Engenapp told the board there were no state liquor violations on record, but community-development staff still had outstanding site-plan concerns (primarily parking layout and exterior lighting) that had not yet been signed off.

County counsel told the board it had discretion to proceed with the liquor‑license decision despite unresolved land‑use items. Several commissioners said they were willing to act on the license now but wanted stricter hours and other operational conditions. Commissioner Patty recommended narrowing hours of operation and adding enforceable requirements on trash, lighting, outdoor music and maximum outdoor occupancy. Commissioner Greg said aligning parking so cars do not face homes must be evaluated by community development. Commissioner Jeffrey said any approval should include “very detailed conditions of approval, and very tight guardrails.”

After public comment and discussion, the board voted 4–1 to continue the application for a final written decision and to ask staff to draft a denial resolution for the April 9 meeting so the record and findings could be reviewed before a final vote. Commissioners directed staff to present specific, enforceable conditions (hours, building/landscape screening, trash control, noise limits and parking orientation) if the board moves toward an approval at a later date.

The application record contains letters both supporting and opposing the license. Supporters, including Rodrigo Fernandez, described the shop as a “classy operation.” Opponents, including neighbors who live above the business, described noise, overflowing cardboard, clutter, outdoor music and patrons gathering in areas they said were not part of the permitted premises.

The county clarified that state law prohibits public consumption outside licensed premises; if the board grants on‑site consumption it must specify the exact bounded area where alcohol may be consumed. The board left the public comment record open until the continued hearing and asked staff to include updated community-development findings and any outstanding inspection signoffs in the April 9 packet.

A site visit by commissioners was scheduled for April 4 to review the property and the changes the applicant has made since the previous hearing. The public hearing and final decision were continued to April 9.