City staff briefed the City Commission Wednesday on a special-exception request to permit a banquet hall in the Commercial Pointe Plaza shopping center (B‑3 regional business zoning), adjacent to Pinky’s Taco.

The community development director said the applicant proposes an occupancy load of 116, operating hours of “8AM to 2PM, Monday through Sunday,” and that the use would be subject to a certificate of occupancy and recently added code provisions spelling out banquet‑hall requirements. The director cited two existing banquet halls in the city and said this would be the fifth if approved. The Development Review Committee recommended adding security cameras and enforcing no‑parking in fire lanes; the Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval, 4‑0.

Why it matters: the request would introduce another assembly use into an existing commercial plaza and trigger new requirements for noise, parking and emergency access. Commissioners focused on whether the plaza has sufficient parking for concurrent evening events, how enforcement would work and whether the new business is operationally distinct from restaurants already in the plaza.

Vice Mayor Louis Ricketts asked whether the banquet hall is affiliated with any of the restaurants in the plaza; staff replied, “No. This is total different entity from a restaurant. So this will just be a banquet hall in its operation.” The community development director said parking has not been an issue historically and that the applicant agreed to provide valet service if staff receives complaints.

Staff noted the code sections invoked (zoning §106468 and city code §86112) and that the recently added banquet‑hall definition was intended to clarify that the use is not a nightclub and must comply with catering and soundproofing requirements.

The item will return for the full commission meeting with presentation materials and photos of the plaza. Staff said recommended conditions will include security cameras, strict enforcement of fire‑lane restrictions, and compliance with the city’s special‑exception mitigation timeline and special‑master process for unresolved nuisances.

Ending: The commission did not act on the item at the workshop; the banquet‑hall application remains on the agenda for the October commission meeting with staff and the applicant scheduled to present.