Omaha City Council approves Medi's Village Point liquor license and postpones Big Fred's hearing

The Omaha City Council convened on April 8, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including liquor license applications and zoning changes. The meeting began with a presentation from David Houghton, representing Medi's Village Point LLC, which sought approval for a Class I liquor license for a new restaurant located at 17255 Davenport Street. The council unanimously approved the application after a brief public hearing, with no opposition voiced.

Next, the council considered an application from Big Fred's Pizza to add an outdoor area to their existing Class C liquor license at 1101 South 119th Street. The applicant, Philip Marante, participated via Zoom and addressed the council's questions. The motion to approve this application also passed unanimously.

Items 11 through 13 were discussed collectively, concerning the replat of Bel Air Village located southwest of 120th and Shirley Streets. Scott Lewis spoke on behalf of Chabad, a religious facility seeking to expand. The council approved all three items related to this replat, again with a unanimous vote.

The meeting then shifted to a more contentious issue regarding the rezoning of property at 6636 North 31st Avenue from R4 to R5, which would allow for the construction of duplexes. Several residents expressed strong opposition, citing concerns about increased density, parking issues, and the lack of communication from the applicant. The applicant was notably absent from the meeting, which raised further concerns among council members and residents alike.

Council Member Johnson emphasized the importance of community engagement and expressed discomfort with the applicant's absence. After considerable discussion, a motion to deny the rezoning was proposed but failed to receive a second. Instead, a motion to lay over the decision for two weeks was passed, allowing time for the applicant to address community concerns and attend the next meeting.

Finally, the council addressed another rezoning request for property at 2009 South 7th Street, which also faced opposition due to the applicant's lack of communication with neighbors. Similar to the previous item, the council opted to lay over this decision for 30 days to ensure the applicant could engage with the community.

In summary, the meeting highlighted the council's commitment to community input and the importance of developer engagement in local projects, particularly in residential areas. The next steps for the contested zoning applications will be revisited in upcoming meetings, with an emphasis on fostering dialogue between developers and residents.