Summary Sheet- RFCA SUMMARY

CITY OF TEMPE
Meeting Date: 5/14/2026  
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Item: 7A1
ACTION:  PUBLIC HEARING ITEM Hold a public hearing to recommend the approval of a Series 07 
Beer and Wine Bar Liquor License for 5075 South Priest Drive Property Owner LLC, dba Sonesta ES 
Suites Tempe, located at 5075 South Priest Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282.
FISCAL IMPACT:  No fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION:  Recommend approval of this application because the applicant and location 
have met all of the City liquor licensing criteria.
 
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:  Amy S. Nations is the agent for this application. This application 
is an owner transfer of a Series 07 Beer and Wine Bar Liquor License No. 07070467, from Sonesta 
International Hotels Corporation dba Sonesta ES Suites Tempe to 5075 South Priest Drive Property 
Owner LLC, dba Sonesta ES Suites Tempe.
This application is for a new Series 07 license for a new establishment at a location where a previous 
liquor license was held.  The applicant is operating with an interim permit.  The liquor license application 
includes a contiguous patio as shown on the submitted plans.
Under the Tempe City Code, the Financial Services Department, as designated agent of the City Clerk, 
requires that the Tempe Police Department conduct a background investigation on all liquor license 
applicants. Additionally, the City Code requires that business locations be inspected by the Tempe Fire 
Marshal and the Community Development Department to ensure the establishment meets minimum city 
code licensing criteria. 
A.R.S. Section 4.-203.A and R19-1-702 Granting a License for a certain location. A spirituous liquor 
license shall be issued only after satisfactory showing of the capability, qualifications and reliability of 
the applicant and, that the public convenience requires and that the best interest of the community will 
be substantially served by this issuance.
Under the provisions of A.R.S. 4-201, the City is required to post a copy of the application on the front 
of the proposed liquor license premises for twenty (20) calendar days. No protest or support letters were 
received regarding this application. 
State statute requires municipalities to make one of three recommendations to the Arizona Department 
of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC):
   1.  Approval
   2.  Disapproval (results in a public hearing set by the DLLC)
   3. No recommendation (may result in a public hearing set by the DLLC)
ATTACHMENTS:  None 
STAFF CONTACT(S):  Josh Bies, Tax and License Manager, (480) 350-8685
Department Director:  Laura Calder, Financial Services Director  
Legal review by:  Dave Park, Assistant City Attorney
Prepared by:  Juliane Moore, Tax and License Specialist, Sr