Planning board recommends special exception for new package liquor store in Pointe Plaza, despite resident concerns

Wisme ("Willie") Petito, owner of Petitó Liquors Inc., and Bradley Gross, contractor and engineer of record, presented a special exception request on Oct. 1 to operate a package liquor store at 7158 North Nob Hill Road in Pointe Plaza. The applicants described a proposed 1,190-square-foot tenant bay, operating hours (mon.–thu. 11 a.m.–10 p.m., fri.–sat. 11 a.m.–11 p.m., sun. noon–9 p.m.), rear deliveries, interior storage, and security measures including multi-camera CCTV with remote monitoring and mandatory employee ID training.

The applicant said deliveries would be made at the rear of the building, that storeroom and cooler doors would be secured, and that the store would close during deliveries to confirm inventory. Bradley Gross showed site photos indicating front, rear and side parking and the proposed customer entrance adjacent to an ADA space. The applicant asserted the location complies with distance-separation requirements and that the nearest hard-liquor retail outlet is several thousand feet away; staff confirmed distance and zoning compliance in their presentation.

Resident Tracy Scott spoke at the public hearing in opposition, citing academic studies and local crime statistics (as presented by the speaker) and argued that a liquor store could increase crime and reduce nearby property values. She said neighbors opposed the proposal and expressed personal safety concerns.

Board members asked staff about separation distances from schools and other outlets and about neighborhood context. Christian Wardevall, city planner, answered that the proposed site was not within the city’s 1,000-foot separation buffer from schools or parks and that the plaza is an appropriate commercial location. The board discussed vacancy in the plaza and the applicant’s proposed security and training protocols.

Following discussion, the board moved and seconded a motion to forward a favorable recommendation to the City Commission with the conditions described by staff; the motion passed 6–0. The recommendation is advisory; the City Commission will make the final decision and may impose additional conditions.