If a proposal for a $6 million corporate retreat in northwestern Douglas County becomes a reality, there will be no liquor sold there.

On Wednesday, the four-member Douglas County Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously determined that selling alcohol on the premises is prohibited because the area is zoned for agricultural use. That decision would stand even if other conditional permits for building the project are approved.

It is unclear how developers will respond to the decision.

“My concern is setting a precedent,” said board chairman James Bowen, explaining his vote. The other three board members voting with him were Lawrence James, Dave Anderson and William Roth.

No conditional-use permits have been issued for allowing liquor sales in an agricultural zone since zoning regulations went into effect more than 40 years ago, county Zoning and Codes Director Keith Dabney told the board early in the hearing. An area has to be zoned for commercial use for an establishment to be able to apply to the state for an alcohol beverage license, he said.

About 30 people gathered in the old courtroom on the second floor of the county courthouse for the hearing. Several who live near the proposed site northeast of the intersection at North 1800 and East 700 roads spoke out against the project. Their main concerns were the alcohol request and parts of the proposal that included hunting and shooting areas.

“Alcohol and guns have never been a good mix,” said Charlene Winter, who lives with her husband near the site.

The corporate retreat, called The Woods, was proposed by Gene Fritzel Construction Co., in conjunction with architect Paul Werner. The property at the site, which covers at least 350 acres, is owned by John T. Stewart.

Werner attended the hearing and described the project, which would include recreational facilities, a reception hall, chapel, cabins and riding stables, as well as hunting and shooting areas. Conditional-use permits for some of the proposed facilities would still have to be obtained if the project goes forward. Douglas County commissioners would have the final say on the project.

It was unclear after the meeting whether Fritzel and Werner would continue with their proposal. Werner’s office said he was meeting with Thomas Fritzel and was unavailable for comment.

During the hearing, Werner tried to ease the concerns of neighbors.

“No one is thinking we’re going to sell a bunch of alcohol and then give out a bunch of guns,” he said.

Other concerns also were raised. The development would be in Rural Water District No. 6, and district chairman Don Fuston said that only a 4-inch water line crossed the property. It isn’t big enough to supply water for fire protection to the area, he said.

In addition, Fuston said the district would not be able to supply enough water to that large of a development and handle its other customers, too.

“I’d have to ration water to my other customers,” Fuston said.