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Wednesday, june 2, 2021
Cave Creek discusses, denies commercial zoning changes BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer
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he Cave Creek Town Council voted 5-2 to deny a proposed ordinance that would change the landscape requirements for future commercial businesses. “The choice is between leaving (land) undisturbed and having an area that becomes, effectively, Bell Road, where it looks pretty ugly,” Councilmember Thomas McGuire said at the May 17 session. The current zoning ordinance requires commercial land to keep 15% of natural
land undisturbed. Businesses may meet this requirement, but many (such as the Walmart on North Cave Creek Road) do so by putting up a wall, hiding the natural land, which “doesn’t benefit anyone,” according to Mayor Ernie Bunch. The proposed change would eliminate the 15% of undisturbed land and allow businesses to replace it with landscaping. The proposal comes after complaints that while businesses met the minimum requirements detailed in the current zoning ordinance, it was not done in a way that “lived up to the look” that Cave Creek aspires to, according to Luke Kautzman, Cave Creek zoning administrator.
“Over the last two to three years, there has obviously been an increase in development in the community. Staff started getting feedback from council members, commissioners and members of the public that some of the built products weren’t really meeting their standards,” Kautzman said. “They met the requirements of the ordinance, but it’s not necessarily how they think it should look. So, that was a catalyst for staff to start looking at changes.” This amendment failed. Councilmember Robert Morris ques-
opportunity to expand operations and meet the needs of their customers, especially after weathering the effects of the pandemic.” The law will not officially take effect until around Oct. 1. Restaurants will have to apply for another permit from the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control to sell alcoholic beverages to go with food. Restaurants will also have to deliver through a third-party delivery service like Uber Eats or DoorDash. These third-party contractors would also not be able to deliver alcoholic beverages between 2 and 6 a.m., and restaurants will have to stop selling alcohol at the same time they stop selling food.
Many business owners think this bill will help them pick sales back up again. Lauren Walters, a bar manager at The Tennessee Grill in Anthem, views it as a good business opportunity, especially after doing takeout only during the pandemic. “To-go alcohol and liquor saved us a good chunk,” Walters said. “It helped bring in a lot of revenue and a lot of money, and as far as it being permanent, I think it’s a great idea.” The Tennessee Grill started off by selling growlers of beer, which customers could purchase and then return to refill when
see CAVE CREEK page 4
New bill to allow restaurants to sell to-go cocktails
BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF
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estaurants, bars and liquor stores can now sell cocktails and alcoholic beverages to go, with the passing of a new legislation. House Bill 2773, signed into law by Gov. Doug Ducey, allows restaurants to permanently sell to-go alcoholic beverages and cocktails to help bounce back from the pandemic. “Business owners have shown that offering to-go beverages can be done responsibly and safely,” Ducey said. “House Bill 2773 will make sure restaurants and bars have the
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