Neighbors object to tavern 49 feet from residences; council lays over Haven Express Lounge liquor application

The Omaha City Council postponed action on a contested liquor-license application for Haven Express Lounge at 1217 Leavenworth Street after residents and council members pressed the applicant for more details about operations, safety and zoning.

Neighbors told the council the site sits immediately adjacent to a compact residential community they described as "strictly residential" and asked whether a tavern so close to homes would bring noise, late-night activity and safety problems. John Thomas, speaking for the Soma homeowners association, said the neighborhood has 123 homes and that the proposed location would be "only 49 ft directly west of 1217 Levvenworth Street," and said the development plans lack details on fire safety, exhaust and lighting.

The applicant, Devonte Nun, described his operation as "not a bar — it's a food-first lounge," said he has run a food-truck business for six years and that his staff are trained to check IDs and refuse service when necessary. Nun told the council he had "already passed all required inspections" and pledged to meet the Soma representatives and their HOA to answer questions.

City planning staff said the proposed use "complies with zoning regulations" for the liquor-license review but noted that site-plan and building-permit reviews — including landscaping and pedestrian crossings — occur in separate permitting processes.

After extended questioning from council members about hours, patio service and off-sale plans, Council Member Hug moved to lay the application over for one week to give the applicant an opportunity to meet with neighborhood representatives. The motion passed on a roll call vote recorded as 6–0. Council members emphasized that the council's vote would be a recommendation to the state liquor commission, which makes the final licensing decision.