Commissioners recommend approval for Hidden Valley Golf Course liquor license despite zoning complexity

The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously April 21 to recommend approval of a Class 1B liquor license and corporate manager application for Hidden Valley Holdings LLC, doing business as Hidden Valley Golf Course.

Planning and development staff explained that Lincoln's three-mile jurisdiction and city zoning rules prevent off-premises sales in that area, so the property's zoning does not authorize off-sale liquor. George Wesselhawk, the planner who handles liquor permits for city and county, told the board the applicant had historically held a liquor license but there was no record of a required special permit. "He explained the issue as far as zoning," Wesselhawk said, noting the special permit would allow on-premise sales only.

Justin Daniel of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department told commissioners the department had reviewed Hidden Valley's temporary bar set-up and requested that the venue install a permanent bar with plumbing to meet food-code requirements. Daniel said Hidden Valley provided an action plan and a timeframe to come into compliance and that the health department was willing to work with the applicant and issue a variance while the improvements are completed. "They provided an action plan, and a time frame to come into compliance," Daniel said. He added the department would allow up to a year for the work to be completed because the venue is entering its busy season.

Applicant Brad Neumbauer, who the record identifies as the property's general manager, said the business has had its current liquor license for roughly 21 years and is asking to extend the same licensing to the new owner. "We Hidden Valley Golf Course has had their current liquor license for the past ... 21 years," he said. Commissioners discussed how the liquor-license authority and the city's special-permit zoning interact; one staff member noted planning had recommended denial because of the zoning issue, but several commissioners said they would recommend continuing the existing license while the zoning steps are resolved.

A commissioner moved to recommend approval of the Class 1B license and corporate manager application; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all present voting yes. The recommendation will be forwarded to the liquor commission and any additional zoning steps remain the applicant's responsibility.