Commission denies Fork Lightning club liquor license, citing youth exposure concerns

Santa Fe County commissioners denied a club liquor license application March 10 for the Fork Lightning Racquet Club after public testimony and commissioner questions about proximity and exposure of youth participating in a co‑located First Serve New Mexico tennis program.

Growth Management building and development supervisor Dominic Cisneros explained that the facility is on public‑institutional land, the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Division had given preliminary approval and that the SLDC does not specifically regulate club liquor locations. The proposed license would authorize alcohol service to members and guests; the facility operates a youth academy and has an interior primary entrance and a separate classroom wing entrance.

During public and commissioner questioning, multiple speakers — including Commissioner Lisa Kokari Stone and resident commenters — said the proposed bar and consumption area sit immediately adjacent to the building's main entrance, which is also the most visible entrance families use to drop off children. Applicant counsel Kurt Summer said there is a separate classroom entrance and argued that the state controls license terms and that county conditions are limited; commissioners sought enforceable assurances restricting minors from the consumption area during program hours or physically separating the bar from youth areas. The applicant indicated the bar location is built into the current facility layout and declined to move the bar during the hearing.

After deliberation, the board voted to deny the county approval required for the local option district. Commissioners said they would welcome a revised plan that provides demonstrable separation or restricted access ensuring unaccompanied youth in the program are not exposed to the consumption area.

What happens next: The applicant may revise and reapply; staff noted that state Alcoholic Beverage Control rules ultimately govern the license and the applicant will need to reconcile any county conditions with state licensing terms if refiled.