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Monroe council approves two alcohol permits but denies off-premises liquor and a proposed group home
Summary
Council approved alcohol permits for the Hotel Monroe and a change of ownership at Nise's Sip and Cruise but denied a Major Conditional Use Permit for off-premises liquor sales at 1215 Orange Street and later voted to deny a proposed small group home at 2404 Georgia Street.
The Monroe City Council took a series of land-use and license actions on March 25: it approved two alcohol-related permits but denied a conditional-use request for off-premises liquor at 1215 Orange Street and denied a separate request for a small group home.
Council unanimously approved an application by Michael Echols doing business as The Hotel Monroe for a 2025 Class A alcoholic beverage permit; Lisa Johnson, the hotel's general manager, described plans for a restaurant and rooftop bar and said the hotel is scheduled for a soft opening May 4. "It will be open from 5pm until 11pm for the rooftop bar and it can be reserved for special events from 3pm to 5pm," Johnson said.
The council also unanimously approved a new 2025 Class A alcoholic beverage permit for LaTonya Coleman (Nise's Sip and Cruise). Resident Cliff Thomas urged caution, saying the proliferation of liquor outlets contributes to crime in some neighborhoods; Ms. Coleman said the business has operated under previous owners and serves an older clientele.
By recorded vote (Mr. Harvey Nay, Mrs. Ezernack Nay, Ms. Woods Nay, Mr. McFarland Nay, Mr. Muhammad Nay) the council denied Muhammad Haseeb's request for a Major Conditional Use Permit to allow off-premises alcohol sales at 1215 Orange Street. Haseeb described the planned store as "not just a liquor store but it's mostly like a convenience store with a drive thru where you can get snacks" and said he hires locally. Neighbors and local business owners opposed the request, saying the location is near children and the community needs different retail options.
Separately, the council considered a Major Conditional Use Permit for a small group home at 2404 Georgia Street (proposal from Natalie Devine to house up to six children). After procedural confusion about a motion and an explanation from the City Attorney about a 30-day deadline for Planning Commission recommendations, the council ultimately approved a substitute motion to deny the request.
Councilmembers said they may pursue a written resolution or clearer standards for conditional uses to ensure consistent decisions in the future; City Attorney Brandon Creekbaum noted that conditional-use procedures and timing requirements affect whether an item is automatically approved by failure to act.
