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Council updates alcohol code to align with UDC, allow restaurants and grocery sales within 300‑foot buffer
Summary
Council adopted code amendments to allow restaurants and grocery stores to sell alcohol within a previously restricted 300‑foot buffer, exempt distributors/brewers, and simplify closing‑hour language to 12 a.m.–2 a.m. for mixed beverages and beer.
Buda city council adopted amendments to the municipal code regulating the sale of alcoholic beverages to resolve a conflict with the Unified Development Code and to simplify operating‑hours language.
Why it matters: The amendments update local rules so that certain retail and restaurant uses permitted by the zoning code (UDC) are not precluded by a conflicting provision in the city code. The change may allow some new food‑service or grocery concepts to offer alcohol sales inside areas that were previously restricted by a 300‑foot buffer in the city ordinance.
Key changes passed: Staff explained three principal amendments: 1) revise the code to allow restaurants and grocery stores to sell alcohol within the 300‑foot buffer where the UDC permits those uses (removing an unintended conflict between the two codes); 2) exempt wholesalers, distributors, breweries and similar trade uses from the local 300‑foot restriction where state law or the UDC already regulates their locations; and 3) simplify and clarify the code’s language about permitted hours — aligning the daily late‑night closure window for both mixed beverages and beer to 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., rather than splitting Sunday vs. other days in the city code.
Council action: Council opened and closed a public hearing with no speakers, then approved the ordinance on first and final reading and subsequently authorized the updated code text. The ordinance passed on council motion and second with a voice vote.
Ending: The city attorney and planning staff said the amendment resolves the conflict between the UDC and city code and will allow consistent interpretation of alcohol‑sales permissions as development and license applications come forward.
