Weslaco approves wine-and-malt on-site permit for El Ronco after hours, safety and location debate

The Weslaco City Commission on April 2 approved a wine-and-malt retail dealer’s on-site permit for El Ronco at 5112 Professional Drive in the Posada subdivision after a public hearing and staff briefings. The item had been tabled March 19 and was removed from the table for reconsideration.

Residents, pediatricians and nearby business representatives told the commission they opposed the permit because of the store’s proximity to pediatric and dental offices and Airport Elementary School. In public comment, Richard Hill, a nearby resident, urged the commission to “examine the wisdom of having a liquor sales that close to the medical facilities,” and pediatrician Paola Carrasco said she was “a voice for those who are voiceless,” citing health and safety concerns for children.

Cesar Hernandez, representing Smile Inc., and other nearby providers said the visible sale of alcoholic beverages near offices that serve infants, children and adolescents could send mixed signals and possibly increase youth exposure to alcohol. Concerns also included queuing and traffic at the proposed drive‑through site.

Ismael Reyes, the applicant and owner of El Ronco, told the commission the business is family oriented, that drinks are sealed for take-away and that the company plans to limit sales hours to 11 p.m. He said the business operates four other locations with no prior problems and that employees will ID buyers and follow Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) rules.

Staff told the commission the developer’s queuing lane exceeds the city’s eight‑car requirement and that pour‑over driveway or flat work across easements is permitted; vertical construction over easements is not. The city attorney advised that similar businesses exist in Weslaco — including locations adjacent to a school and a church — and recommended treating this application consistently with past approvals. Legal advised against adding special conditions not applied to comparable local businesses, citing potential legal risk if the city were challenged.

Commissioner Lopez moved to approve the permit with legal’s recommendation; Commissioner Pedraza seconded. The commission voted in favor and approved the on‑site wine and malt permit.

Staff noted the item met the petition threshold that requires a supermajority, and that Planning & Zoning and TABC had vetted the application. The approved permit is for beer and wine (no distilled spirits) and staff said enforcement of on‑site consumption rules rests first with the business and then, if needed, with police (for trespass or other violations).

Several speakers asked the commission to consider specific conditions — such as restricted hours or reinforced fencing near child care facilities — but legal and staff advised such conditions be applied uniformly rather than only to a single applicant. The applicant and his administrative assistant said they would enforce an 11 p.m. closing time and would use sealed‑container procedures used at their other locations.