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Joseph City residents oppose Love’s Travel Stop license; Navajo County board tables decision
Summary
Residents urged the Navajo County Board of Supervisors to block a beer-and-wine license for a Love’s Travel Stop in Joseph City, citing the town’s long-standing dry status, safety concerns and allegedly limited notice; the board voted to table the application and directed staff to research prior applications and communicate public concerns to the state liquor board.
The Navajo County Board of Supervisors on an extended public hearing on a beer-and-wine liquor license application for Love’s Travel Stop in Joseph City heard strong opposition from local residents and then voted to table the matter and ask staff for further research.
At the hearing, staff said the license application (agent Theodore Van Gaines) had the routine departmental approvals and that the 21-day posting at the business had been completed. Amanda Silverhorn (staff) told the board staff recommended approval under the statutory standard the board reviews — primarily whether the location meets distance and posting requirements.
Several Joseph City residents said the business would change the character of a historically dry community and raise safety concerns. "Over 200 signatures in about 60 hours," resident Carolyn Bushman said, presenting a petition she said was assembled quickly after the community learned of the application. Bushman added, "Liquor has not been sold in our community since its founding in 1876. We wish it to stay that way in our unincorporated community town." Another resident asked that the item be tabled so more residents can attend and comment.
Legal counsel Jason Moore told the board the liquor-licensing rules differ from other permit types and that the statutory posting requirement for liquor licenses is limited to posting at the applicant’s property. "The posting only has to occur at the place of business," Moore said, adding that staff’s review indicated posting requirements had been met.
Supervisors acknowledged residents' concerns and explained the limits of the county’s role: the state issues liquor licenses, and the board's review focuses on whether local distance/posting requirements are met. After discussion, the chair moved to table the item and directed staff to research prior applications from the same business and to forward the petition and comments to the state liquor board so local voices are included in the state review process. The motion to table carried by voice vote.
What’s next: The board asked staff to pull prior records of Love’s Travel Stop applications and to return with that research at the next meeting; the state liquor board retains final authority to grant or deny the license.
