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Owners of Green Valley Gas seek city ordinance change to allow state liquor package agency; hearing set for May 19
Summary
Owners of Green Valley Gas asked the Monroe City Planning Commission to amend the land-use ordinance to permit a state liquor package agency in a 750-square-foot, separately accessed portion of their gas station; the commission set a public hearing for May 19, 2026, and discussed separation distances, DABS rules and community concerns.
Owners of Green Valley Gas, Stephanie Elliott and her mother Lori Eyre, asked the Monroe City Planning Commission on April 21 to amend the Monroe City Land Use Ordinance so they can host a state liquor package agency inside a roughly 750-square-foot section of their existing gas station with its own east-side entrance. The applicants said they had reviewed applicable DABS requirements and believed they met the necessary qualifications, including required separation distances from churches and schools. They said the nearest entrance of the proposed agency would be approximately 1,100 feet from the nearest church property line, exceeding the 600-foot entrance-to-entrance requirement cited by applicants.
Chair Candice Barney summarized research she had done before the meeting and reported consulting Sevier County officials about public-safety implications. Barney said the county's available data "does not show a correlation between proximity to liquor stores and increased DUI rates," noting the county typically records about 30 to 40 DUIs per year. Commissioners discussed whether the gas station's commercial-residential zoning is the best location for such a use versus a light-industrial zone, the presence of on-site beer sales already, student foot traffic during lunchtime, and the fact that several nearby liquor stores have closed, making Salina the nearest option for some residents.
Commissioner Talon Gadd moved and Commissioner Lance Roberts seconded a motion to set a public hearing for May 19, 2026, to consider amending the land-use ordinance to allow a state liquor package agency; the motion carried unanimously. Staff were directed to post the required public notice and place the item on the May 19 agenda. Applicants acknowledged that the May 10 statewide DABS meeting referenced at the hearing would not be achievable given local public-notice and council-scheduling timelines.
The commission's action was procedural: setting the public hearing does not approve any land-use change. At the May 19 hearing the commission will receive public comment and consider whether to forward any ordinance change to the City Council.
