Neighbors press Tempe council to recommend denial of King's Liquor; council transmits denial to state 6–1

The Tempe City Council voted 6–1 on Oct. 15 to recommend denial of a Series 9 liquor license application for Legacy Liquor LLC (DBA King's Liquor) at 119 W. University Drive and transmitted that recommendation to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC), which will set a state hearing.

Josh Baez, the city's tax and license manager, told the council staff had "no recommendation" because fingerprinting and other documentation were incomplete; he noted the police had offered conditional approval. Dozens of neighbors and Maple Ash Neighborhood Association representatives urged denial, saying closure of a previous convenience store at the corner had improved neighborhood safety and that a dedicated liquor store would reintroduce late‑night nuisance activity. Speakers included residents James Benjamin Hurlbut, Rick Herbig, Molly Britz and others who cited repeated calls for police service at the earlier business on the site.

Owners and applicants told the council they are a family business and said the interim license they have had was not accompanied by police problems. Co‑owner Karen Sherrigel and partner Rajkumar Gill said they operate other Tempe businesses without incident and asked for a fair chance to run King's Liquor.

Council discussion referenced state criteria for denying licenses and the practical limits of a city recommendation: several councilmembers urged denial based on neighborhood density of liquor outlets and sustained resident protest; others argued the state has final authority and urged procedural caution. The final vote to transmit a recommendation of denial was 6 in favor, 1 opposed (Councilmember Keating voted no).

Next steps: the city's recommendation is advisory to the DLLC; the state will schedule a public hearing and make the final licensing decision. If the license is denied at state level, the applicant must wait 12 months to reapply, per staff.