Lee's Discount Liquor still awaiting approval

Other business owners say same restrictions should apply

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A proposed Lee's Discount Liquor store near the corner of Azure Drive and Tenaya Way is scheduled to return to the Las Vegas City Council meeting agenda on Wednesday after applications for a use permit and site development plan review for the project were put on hold at the June 18 meeting.

Despite the stellar reputation of Hae Un Lee's 10-store Las Vegas chain and Ward 6 Councilman Steve Ross' stated admiration for Lee and his business practices, Ross originally made a motion on June 18 to deny Lee's requests for the permit for a package liquor off-sale establishment and the plan review, which includes the nearly 12,000-square-foot liquor store and about 4,300 square feet of additional retail development at the site.

"I want to help you in any other location than this one, but this, in my mind, just is not a compatible use for this street, this road or this area," Ross said.

The councilman said his opinion was based on the neighborhood's concerns over another alcohol use business in the area. The site is at the southwest corner of Azure and Tenaya, next door to a Discount Tire Center and across the street from a commercial center that houses a 24-hour Timbers Bar and Grill and a boutique wine shop, Vino 100.

Restrictions governing Vino 100 also played into the decision. Owners Natalie Buster and Teresa Berry were present at the June meeting and implored the council to deny Lee's request.

When their wine store was approved by the city before opening last spring at 7220 W. Azure Drive, imposed hours of operation forced the store to close at 7 p.m. during the week, and it could not be open on Sundays.

"When we applied to have those restrictions lifted after six months, we were denied, but two hours were added so we could stay open until 9 p.m.," Berry said.

To allow Lee's to operate later and on Sundays "wouldn't be a very fair situation," Buster said.

Lee's representative Dave Clapsaddle said comparing Vino 100 -- where on-site consumption is allowed -- to Lee's full-scale liquor stores is apples to oranges, and Ross noted that the restrictions placed upon Vino 100 were requested by residents in the neighborhood.

"This particular location has presented a challenge because I've made a commitment to this neighborhood, and it's more of a commitment to the people who live here than the businesses in the area," Ross said. "I've spoken with the businesses (across the street), and they say they are struggling. This is a great area, and I want to see it blossom."

Councilman Steve Wolfson and Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian prompted Ross to withdraw his motion to deny by asking if Lee would accept restricted hours for the new store. Lee said his stores usually operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and close earlier on Saturdays and Sundays.

Berry said her store should not be burdened with restricted hours if Lee's store didn't have to deal with the same city requirement.

"If this should go through, I really would like to hear the support of all of you when our year comes around to lift all of our restrictions, 100 percent," she said.

Clapsaddle said he would be happy to have a meeting with the owners of Vino 100 to discuss the impact of the liquor store on the neighboring business community. Ross changed his motion to delay a decision for two weeks.

"It's the neighborhood I'm concerned with," Ross said.

Vino 100 and Timbers are not the only potential liquor uses in the area. Also at the southwest corner of Tenaya and Azure, zoning for a convenience store and two supper clubs has been approved, although there is no construction or known development under way for any of those businesses.