In a recent city council meeting, discussions centered around a variance request for a new business seeking to obtain a liquor license. Mayor Gunther emphasized the challenges of denying the request, citing the presence of nearby establishments, such as Henry's and Hidalgo's, that already sell alcohol. He argued that it would be unfair to penalize the new business when others in the vicinity operate under similar conditions.

Council members raised questions about whether Henry's had previously required a variance, noting that it predates the current 300-foot distance requirement established in 2018. The council clarified that Henry's was allowed to continue operating under its original license due to its long-standing presence, while the new business must seek a variance due to a change in ownership.

The council discussed the necessity of specifying a reason for the variance in their motion, with staff suggesting item D, which states that denying the variance would create an undue hardship for the restaurant owner. Mayor Gunther made a motion to approve the variance based on items C and D, which highlight the undue hardship and the inconsistency of the current regulations.

Public comment was invited, with Arnold Gutierrez representing the new business, advocating for the approval of the variance by pointing out the building's previous beer license. The council subsequently voted in favor of the motion, passing it with a 7-0 vote.

Following the variance discussion, the council moved on to the second reading of the budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024, which includes tax revenue projections from new properties added to the tax roll. The meeting underscored the council's commitment to balancing regulatory frameworks with the realities of local business operations.