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Temple council approves conditional use permit for West Avenue M liquor sales amid neighborhood opposition
Summary
The Temple City Council approved a conditional use permit, 4-1, allowing off-premise retail sale of all alcoholic beverages at 2204 West Avenue M, Suite 120, after extended public comment from neighbors and supporters. Residents cited safety and property-value concerns; the owner and tenant defended the proposal.
Temple’s City Council on Nov. 20 approved a conditional use permit allowing retail sales of alcoholic beverages at 2204 West Avenue M, Suite 120, after more than an hour of public comment and a 4-1 council vote.
Opponents who live adjacent to the property urged the council to reverse the prior approval or block the liquor component. Shelley Posling, who identified herself as “a homeowner living directly behind the store” and a local realtor, said a “high traffic of alcohol refill establishment is inevitably bringing negative impacts to our community” and cited proximity to churches and a school.
Paula Estes, another nearby homeowner and realtor, asked the council to “reconsider the previous approval,” expressing concern that alcohol sales would increase foot traffic and harm neighborhood quality.
Supporters and the property owner said the business will be an appropriate neighborhood convenience. Alex Hunt, speaking in favor, said City of Temple police data show crime is down recently and argued the store is not a magnet for criminal activity. Owner Fahim—who identified himself as the property owner and landlord—told the council the site is kept “really super clean,” said dozens of supporters signed a petition, and asked the council to finalize the permit.
Council debated a short clarification on whether the adjacent convenience store currently sells beer and wine; staff confirmed it does. The mayor reminded the council the item required a supermajority. Council Member Grant moved approval; Mayor Pro Tem Walker seconded. The motion passed with four votes in favor and one opposed.
The ordinance approved a conditional use permit to allow retail sales of all alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption at the listed West Avenue M address in Bell County. The council did not amend the permit conditions on the floor.
The store’s proponents and opponents in the public record offered competing claims about neighborhood impacts (property values, nuisance and safety), and the council acted to uphold the conditional use permit. The decision is final as recorded at second and final reading during the Nov. 20 meeting.
