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Lancaster County board recommends Westview Bed and Breakfast liquor license, flags zoning issue
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Summary
The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners voted April 14 to recommend a class I liquor license application for Westview Bed and Breakfast to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, while staff and commissioners said the property lacks zoning authorization to serve alcohol and urged the applicant to resolve that before state action.
The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners voted April 14 to recommend a class I liquor license application for Westview Bed and Breakfast and a corporate manager license for Hong Dou to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission.
Chair Krista Yocom opened the public hearing and the applicant’s translator, Andrew Vaughn, told commissioners the owner intends to serve alcohol only a few times a year for community events such as Vietnamese New Year and small weddings. "She's intent to use her liquor license to sell some alcohol for the Vietnamese community to kinda get together... 4 or 5 times a year," Vaughn said.
The county’s planning and development staff advised that the property is currently zoned agricultural and holds a historic-preservation special permit that allows up to 12 residential units for a bed-and-breakfast but does not permit a restaurant or alcohol service. Planning staffer George Russell Hawk said, "They do not have the zoning for a restaurant or to serve alcohol," and outlined two routes to come into compliance: amend the historic-preservation special permit or pursue a formal change of zone. Hawk estimated a change of zone would take "60 to 90 days." He offered to meet with the applicants after the hearing to discuss options.
Commissioners said they want to help the applicant resolve zoning concerns. One commissioner noted the board could recommend approval "contingent upon the zoning changes" and urged planning staff to assist the applicant; another said the board will not "stand in the way" of the applicant obtaining a liquor license while reminding attendees that the county’s recommendation goes to the state liquor authority.
After discussion, a motion to recommend approval to the Liquor Control Commission carried on roll call.
Why it matters: The board’s recommendation does not itself grant a license; the state Liquor Control Commission issues final approval. Commissioners emphasized assistance and expedited review to help the business resolve the county zoning requirement before the state process proceeds.
What’s next: Staff offered to meet with the applicant after the meeting to discuss amending the special permit or seeking a zone change. The county will forward its recommendation to the state Liquor Control Commission, which will make the final decision.
