Neighbors file protests to proposed 309 Sports Lounge liquor license near Dobson and Guadalupe; city staff says state hearing likely

Ed Clayton, Business Services Department Director, briefed the council on a Series 12 restaurant license application for 309 Sports Lounge at a strip mall located at Dobson and Guadalupe. Clayton said the application is for a Series 12 restaurant license, which requires at least 40% food sales and generally does not include the 300‑foot separation that applies to some daycare or K‑12 proximities for other license types.

"There were 7 protests from 5 distinct locations," Clayton told the council, summarizing protests filed during the city’s 20‑day notice period. He said staff ran calls‑for‑service for the strip mall address; the historical record showed a mix of incidents tied to the entire complex rather than specifically to the proposed suite. "That is for the entire portion of the strip mall," Clayton said, urging caution about attributing incidents to any single tenant.

Councilmembers pressed staff on whether the new applicant has ties to the previous owner and how the prior tenant’s calls would carry forward; staff said records indicate a change in ownership and that prior calls reflect the whole complex. Council asked about hours; staff said the operator must close by 2 a.m. and that the proposed location has no outdoor seating. Staff also flagged that a filed protest will trigger a hearing at the state liquor board (DLLC) where the board will consider the council’s recommendation and local testimony.

What happens next: staff suggested the applicant attend Monday’s council meeting to answer resident questions; the filed protests will prompt a DLLC hearing where the state board will conduct due diligence and consider the city’s recommendation. The council did not adopt a formal recommendation at the study session; the matter will move forward to hearing as provided under state process.

Sources: Presentation and Q&A at the Mesa City Council study session; remarks from Ed Clayton (Business Services Department).