[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6357949,"mediaKeyId","2213110-0b0b1e9e5d3d7d3433b05bf9ec6f3026","parentId",2213110,"title","City approves Simple Spirits move to 110 Cordele Road after disputed administrative error; state to make final determination","audioSeconds",2418,"startMs",1811000,"endMs",4229000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2213110-0b0b1e9e5d3d7d3433b05bf9ec6f3026&start=1811&end=4229","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2213110-0b0b1e9e5d3d7d3433b05bf9ec6f3026/thumbnail_1811000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6357949/Albany/Dougherty-County/Georgia/City-approves-Simple-Spirits-move-to-110-Cordele-Road-after-disputed-administrative-error-state-to-make-final-determination","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357949-6d4b720c329aaaf909ddfcd38c529728/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146596&Signature=ZKFw3z~2f4wedLvukdb93oH1iCemqnL66PMdQoZAE9HGhcNbraz1HzctN86TN204oAZw0RWkxP9K1U07~-mvVZNwYsV2u9v8ywBQdAa5NAtKFVvG82lN29N-gGJElISUi2dSB4kqwVt1v7xQ50YFbhUqMzqLsQuTJjQHe77svJMxcLLwwMfVBvKyWcnpWtF5wOQfGxkedeANd12AI9WQ9OiyvJ92EKDfTV7g9R0kGIewNOAEdWO3puqfngXkD2L8mwoPqD5tvUrxyv-55hDhtPX6Gy-AXL0SKzqxT3yb6XLPEhwaUjg3Gckn3kUgxcxAbDB2eYTk3YqvggOlGfhfuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Albany GA ","date","2025-01-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Albany City Commission voted to approve a local change-of-location alcohol license for Simple Spirits Inc., d/b/a Happy Liquors, allowing the business to relocate from 2424 Sylvester Highway to 110 Cordele Road, Unit 1, after an extended discussion about an administrative error in how the application was processed and concerns raised by a nearby property owner.

The vote approved the local licensing step on the condition that the state licensing authority make its determination during the state review process; city staff told commissioners the item will return if the state raises issues. Commissioners cast a majority of yes votes on the local action, with one commissioner voting no.

City police licensing staff presented the application and said the license for the new address was originally issued after the applicant filed paperwork and paid fees. Chief licensing staff Michael Donaldson told the commission the license had first been issued in 1989, that the planning department had identified the proposed address as in a C‑3 commercial zone, and that local notice requirements (at least 10 days’ public notice) had been met. Donaldson also summarized distance rules used for advising applicants: a minimum of 200 yards from schools and 100 yards from churches, noting the proposed relocation did not violate the local distance guidance.

Attorney Jim Edge, representing owner Joe Vien, told commissioners his client bought the new property after relying on the licensing process and the permit that staff had issued. Edge said Vien had operated a liquor store at 2424 Sylvester Highway for 35 years and “closed on the property at 110 Cordele Road” after being issued a license and investing “a lot of money” into the new location. Vien told the commission he had “operated that business with utmost integrity” and that he invested in the new site because he believed the city had issued the necessary permission.

Nearby property owners led by Tim Tate opposed immediate approval. Tate said his family owned and operated a long-running liquor store and argued the applicant had moved fixtures and opened the new location before the commission had voted on the change of location. Tate called the administrative handling “100% wrong” and asked the commission to require full consideration because, he said, the board’s approval is a statutory step for a change of location.

City Attorney Michael Custer said the city’s local approval is only part of the process and that the state licensing authority also reviews proximity and technical statutory requirements. Custer told commissioners the state had declined to give a preemptive opinion on whether the relocation would comply with state distance rules unless a license application was pending before the state. City staff said the state review would occur in the next state cycle and that the matter would return to the commission if needed.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the local change-of-location application. The commission voted to approve the local licensing action; the roll call showed a single dissenting vote and a majority of yes votes. Commission and staff remarks emphasized the administrative error — staff ran the item as a transfer rather than the statutorily required change of location — and repeated that final approval at the state level remains necessary before full operations at the new site are unquestionable.

Ending: The commission’s approval clears the local step of the licensing process. City staff said they will proceed with the state filing and will return to the commission with any additional state determinations or if adjustments to the local approval are required.

Votes and formal action
- Action: Approve local change-of-location alcohol license for Simple Spirits Inc. (d/b/a Happy Liquors) to relocate from 2424 Sylvester Highway to 110 Cordele Road, Unit 1. Outcome: approved (city-level). City staff emphasized the state licensing authority retains final approval and the item may return to the commission after state review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Albany Commission Meeting - 1/7/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Albany City Commission voted to approve a local change-of-location alcohol license for Simple Spirits Inc., d/b/a Happy Liquors, allowing the business to relocate from 2424 Sylvester Highway to 110 Cordele Road after an extended debate over an administrative error and concerns from a neighboring business owner.","taxTitle","Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia","taxId",5823,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6357944,"Votes at a glance: Albany City Commission approves Henderson design, municipal-court oversight change and other measures; land‑bank MOU sent back for revision",1309,5667000,6976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2213110-0b0b1e9e5d3d7d3433b05bf9ec6f3026&start=5667&end=6976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2213110-0b0b1e9e5d3d7d3433b05bf9ec6f3026/thumbnail_5667000.jpg","/articles/6357944/Albany/Dougherty-County/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-Albany-City-Commission-approves-Henderson-design-municipal-court-oversight-change-and-other-measures-landbank-MOU-sent-back-for-revision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357944-ee76326e8adb40bed3936e4fdc781fc1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146596&Signature=kvOKwu7jcb~lCpsYujvkhtGiJRT0ujMZ0iaSWefV4JR7U0Tf4LyrJNCKRquCWQ2QJzirvkdkPzsExnhV2nz~W5kirHnyU0gTDrw3XPTfdgRoaONer62LhaGshqCdYAvCnkgbnGuziCkIyIL99BvP74opwURi4Bm8050xXQMxc9qecpVT4qTsoDZy-CWu2~GD8ZPyhbkxFBaB6tU77Yzev53zCGFl2wAFCfND0nHWwHeRSSn6OO3z3Bb29UedET03hnFNeRomvjsvrREbmrw6MN7AjAC-rFKOV5Dj7OWJ4jaJoYdMJSdrJQwAv6c~0K5MxWPZMVAOciXkVoip1kvARw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albany City Commission took a series of formal actions including approvals of a 95% design for the Henderson community center gym, a budget amendment for replacement water meters, a procedural change moving municipal-court administration under the city manager, and authorization to pursue condemnation to acquire a small sliver of private property needed for a handicap-accessible ramp at South Magnolia. Commissioners also approved multiple board and commission appointments and adopted a resolution allowing placement of a historical marker recognizing a founding member of Delta Sigma Theta.

Several items produced debate; others were routine votes. Notably, a proposed memorandum of understanding with the Albany-Dougherty Land Bank (a city contribution of $2,000,000) generated disagreement about whether the funds should be targeted to the city’s medical district and Ragsdale/Driscoll areas or left more broadly available near city-owned assets. A substitute motion to split the allocation 50/50 failed, and commissioners sent the proposal back to the land bank for further work.

Key outcomes
- Henderson gym 95% design: approved. Staff and the architect described retractable five‑row bleachers and design details; commissioners approved proceeding with the design package.
- Municipal court oversight: the commission voted to place the director of municipal court under the city manager’s daily supervision while retaining the position as an appointed post; motion passed.
- Budget amendment for water meters: commissioners adopted an ordinance authorizing allocation of up to $955,000 to replace water meters (Hart); second reading waived and ordinance adopted.
- Rezoning request: commission approved rezoning of approximately 44 acres from M‑2 to R‑5 on Lincoln Station Road to allow single‑family residential development.
- Condemnation authorization: staff was authorized to pursue condemnation (approximately 312 sq. ft.) at 606 South Magnolia to permit traffic-signal and ADA ramp work; the special master will consider property-owner objections.
- Appointments and commissions: multiple reappointments and new appointments to local authorities and boards were approved (Aviation Authority, EDC, Planning Commission, Utility Board, Southwest Georgia Regional Commission, municipal appointments including city attorney, city clerk, municipal court judge appointments, and others). These were adopted by roll-call vote.
- Delta Sigma Theta resolution: approved to allow an easement and marker recognizing Osceola McCarthy Adams.
- Land bank MOU (ARPA funds): commissioners debated two options and did not reach a majority on a final allocation plan (original MOU vs. 50/50 split to medical district and Ragsdale/Driscoll). The commission directed staff to return to the land bank to refine the MOU.

Votes and next steps
Most of the ordinance and resolution votes were recorded by roll call and passed by majority vote where indicated in the meeting. Staff will proceed with implementation for the approved design, budget, and condemnation actions. The land bank memorandum will be revised and returned for commission consideration.

Ending: Commissioners closed the meeting after member comments and set follow-up actions; staff will report back on state licensing for the Simple Spirits matter and on the refined land bank MOU.","The Albany City Commission approved the Henderson gym 95% design, a water‑meter budget amendment and a municipal‑court oversight change, authorized a condemnation for an ADA ramp, and made multiple appointments and resolutions at a lengthy meeting; a proposed $2 million land‑bank memorandum was sent back for refinement.","actionData","errors"]

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City approves Simple Spirits move to 110 Cordele Road after disputed administrative error; state to make final determination

Votes at a glance: Albany City Commission approves Henderson design, municipal-court oversight change and other measures; land‑bank MOU sent back for revision