Club faces petition

A man looking to open a nightclub in a former Odessa department store building is facing some challenges from neighbors.

Around 140 signatures and 42 individual complaints were submitted to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and Ector County Judge Susan Redford requesting that David Bell not be granted a liquor license for the 42,000 square-foot building in the former Dunlaps at 1315 E. Eighth St, said Steve Wilder, an organizer of the petition.

"There's nothing good that could come of it for the neighborhood," he said. "Property values are gonna dive."

The petition seeks to cause a delay in a liquor license being issued by TABC on grounds that Club Pulse owner David Bell didn't issue letters to all residents within 300 feet of the building, informing them that he intended to file for an application between seven and 14 days before he applied for a license.

But Bell said he hadn't actually filed yet, that he'd merely posted notice that he intended to file outside the building, as required by law.

He said he's not looking to cause any trouble.

"I see their point," Bell said. "I could understand (their concerns) myself."

Wilder said he's also seeking to have any application denied based on a stipulation in TABC code addressing concerns that an applicant may conduct his business in a way that "warrants refusal of a permit based on the general welfare, health, peace, morals and safety of the people and on the public sense of decency."

Even if he doesn't get a liquor license, Bell said he'd consider renting the building out for weddings or quinceañera celebrations. He'd even consider making it a "family fun center."

"It's not just a bar," he said. "I'll do whatever I've got to do to help make the neighborhood better."

But that doesn't make Nancy Martin, who lives nearby, happy. One of the residents who signed the petition, she said she's concerned Bell could sell to someone who doesn't have good intentions.

"What the first owner tells you doesn't mean it's going to be that way from then on, because they could be sold again and again," she said.

But Bell said he plans to stick with the business.

"It'll be there until I'm dead and gone most likely," he said.

Wilder said he notified Redford because it's the county judge's duty to set a hearing on the license. Efforts to reach Redford were unsuccessful Friday.

City Manager Richard Morton said nothing could be done to prevent the establishment from opening from the city's perspective, since the property was zoned light commercial, which includes nightclubs.

"It doesn't go to planning and zoning or to (city) council for approval," he said. "We expect them to be good citizens and not be a problem to our police force."