MONROE - The Monroe Common Council voted Tuesday to give Pancho and Lefty's Tex-Mex Grill, LLC a six-month variance on its beer and liquor license for non-use, to facilitate the sale of the now-closed Deluxe Lounge at 1015 18th Ave.
Russ and Nadine Brown, owners of Pancho and Lefty's that opened more than two years ago on the Square at 1018 17th Ave., requested the variance, in order to use the license as an incentive in the sale of the second restaurant, which opened in October 2011.
Russ Brown told the council Deluxe Lounge was closed about 120 days ago because of staffing issues, and he was actively engaged in selling the property as a business.
"The sooner we can get someone in there, the better for our downtown community," he said.
One of the city requirements for holders of an alcohol beverage license is for the business not to be closed more than 120 consecutive days, made part of the city code by council action in May 2009. Violations of this subsection results in a non-renewal or revocation.
Five variances to the "use it or lose it" provision spelled out in the ordinance include substantial damages to the premises; death; disability; substantial remodeling; and unique circumstances in which a variance would advance a significant public interest in the judgment of the council members.
On Tuesday, the council chose to invoke the "significant public interest" variance. Jan Lefevre made the motion, seconded by Michael Boyce, to grant the variance in the interest of "economic development."
Council members voted 8-1 in favor of the motion to grant the variance. Tyler Schultz voted against the motion.
"We don't have a solid policy in place," Schultz said after the council meeting. "Why have an ordinance if we're not going to follow it?"
Schultz believed the license availability in helping the sale of the property "doesn't matter as much as it was being present."
Brown said the variance would eliminate the need for him to switch the license to his Pancho and Lefty's establishment, which is in business with a beer license and a wine license.
After the sale of the property, the License Committee and the Common Council will have a second chance to approve and grant issuance of the license to the new owner.
Russ and Nadine Brown, owners of Pancho and Lefty's that opened more than two years ago on the Square at 1018 17th Ave., requested the variance, in order to use the license as an incentive in the sale of the second restaurant, which opened in October 2011.
Russ Brown told the council Deluxe Lounge was closed about 120 days ago because of staffing issues, and he was actively engaged in selling the property as a business.
"The sooner we can get someone in there, the better for our downtown community," he said.
One of the city requirements for holders of an alcohol beverage license is for the business not to be closed more than 120 consecutive days, made part of the city code by council action in May 2009. Violations of this subsection results in a non-renewal or revocation.
Five variances to the "use it or lose it" provision spelled out in the ordinance include substantial damages to the premises; death; disability; substantial remodeling; and unique circumstances in which a variance would advance a significant public interest in the judgment of the council members.
On Tuesday, the council chose to invoke the "significant public interest" variance. Jan Lefevre made the motion, seconded by Michael Boyce, to grant the variance in the interest of "economic development."
Council members voted 8-1 in favor of the motion to grant the variance. Tyler Schultz voted against the motion.
"We don't have a solid policy in place," Schultz said after the council meeting. "Why have an ordinance if we're not going to follow it?"
Schultz believed the license availability in helping the sale of the property "doesn't matter as much as it was being present."
Brown said the variance would eliminate the need for him to switch the license to his Pancho and Lefty's establishment, which is in business with a beer license and a wine license.
After the sale of the property, the License Committee and the Common Council will have a second chance to approve and grant issuance of the license to the new owner.