Commission postpones 3 74 Liquor LLC license after residents object to proposed Jamestown location

The Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners voted 3–2 on Dec. 16 to postpone consideration of a retail (on- and off-premise) liquor license for 3 74 Liquor LLC at 455 Charles Ave in Jamestown after several nearby residents urged denial.

Applicant Anthony (Tony) Nemec said his veteran-owned business will combine an online wine-shipping platform with a small community retail space and that he does not intend to operate a bar. He asked the board to approve a license and said operations would begin with two employees and business hours limited to weekdays to support online fulfillment and modest retail activity.

Multiple neighbors spoke during a public hearing, citing proximity (some homes within about 20 feet), narrow access, lack of sidewalks or lighting, nearby bus stops used by schools, limited parking and a concentration of existing alcohol retailers in the surrounding area. Resident Desiree Gomez read a written statement calling the location "reckless, unnecessary and completely incompatible with the character" of the neighborhood. Another resident, Christie Lucero, said she and her family live 20 feet from the building and were not personally notified by the applicant.

Commissioners weighed statutory standards and zoning: the property is commercially zoned and a full retail license is an allowed use. Commissioners noted the county has a statutory formula for license counts (roughly one license per 500 residents) and that this application sought the last available retail license. Several commissioners said the board can impose conditions at issuance (for example, limited days and hours) that would carry onto renewal; the county attorney advised that specific limitations can be placed on an approval and would then be part of the license terms. The applicant indicated he would accept amended hours and conditions in writing.

After discussion about whether to table or approve with conditions, the board voted to postpone the application to allow the applicant to file an amended application reflecting the negotiated hours and any limiting conditions. The motion to postpone passed 3–2. The applicant may return with amended terms or seek a full approval later; the board noted that renewal and transfer rules would apply to any license once issued.

No final decision on the license was made at the meeting; commissioners directed staff and the applicant to work on clarified application language and conditions before the next hearing.