Planning Commission tables conditional-use request for liquor store at 4409 West Main

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to table consideration of a conditional-use permit for a proposed liquor store at 4409 West Main, sending the item back for the commission's April 7 meeting.

Staff presented the application and said the technical-advisory committee and staff recommended approval of a conditional-use permit to allow retail sale of beer, wine and liquor at the site. Paul (staff) told the commission the application was submitted for review and staff supported the conditional use.

Applicant Harold Losee, representing Cedar Ridge Holdings, told commissioners, “We're just a liquor store,” and said the company intends to have the owner, Thomas Cannon, obtain the state liquor license. Losee estimated the licensing timeline would be "2 to 6 months," and confirmed the business arrangement is a lease, not a sale.

Commissioners pressed on timing and authority. One commissioner noted the city's administrative timing is roughly 45 days and suggested the commission could make any recommendation contingent on the applicant's receipt of the state license or simply table the item while the applicant pursues state approval. Staff and commissioners referenced the commission's conditional-use rules: one commissioner cited Item 7 of the city's conditional-use requirements, saying that when another regulatory agency (here, the state) requires a license for the proposed use, the license "should be in hand." The point led commissioners to conclude additional time was warranted.

A neighboring property owner, Charlene Tucker, who said her property is adjacent to the site on the east and south, told the commission she did not oppose the license "per se" but was concerned the liquor store would be next to a 24-hour dispensary and asked whether the city had guidelines limiting that adjacency. A staff member replied that current city ordinances do not prohibit the two uses from being adjacent and noted that the state regulates hours of sale.

After discussion, a motion to table agenda item 3B to the April 7 meeting passed on a recorded voice vote: Commissioner Kerr, Commissioner Jackson, Vice chairman Knight and Chairman Horner each answered "Yes." The commission did not grant the conditional-use permit at this meeting; the item will return on April 7 with any updated documentation the applicant supplies, including the state licensing status.

The commission also discussed the possibility of making a recommendation to City Council contingent on the applicant obtaining the state license, but the formal action taken at this meeting was to table the item. The applicant was told he could return with progress on the state application or request additional time if needed.