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Lubbock City Council denies variance for package-store license within 300 feet of Lubbock High School
Summary
On May 27, 2025, the Lubbock City Council unanimously denied a request for a variance that would have allowed a package-store (off-premise alcohol) permit at 1905 Nineteenth Street, a property 186 feet from Lubbock High School, citing the city's 300-foot separation rule adopted in 2009 and concerns about protecting the school environment.
The Lubbock City Council on May 27, 2025, voted unanimously to deny a variance that would have allowed a package-store (off-premise alcohol) license at 1905 Nineteenth Street, a property that staff said is 186 feet from Lubbock High School.
City planning staff Kristen Sager told the council the request would waive the city's 300-foot separation requirement for package-store permits; she noted the separation requirement has been in place since February 2009 and that a separate variance request on a neighboring address was denied in 2022.
The request drew public comment both for and against. Rick Rodriguez, chief operations officer for Lubbock Independent School District, urged denial, saying the ordinance 'serves an important purpose in maintaining a safe and responsible environment for our youth' and that allowing the variance 'sets a concerning precedent' because the proposed location sits across the street from the high school. Supporters of the applicant—identified in the record as Andy and Swati (name variants in the record ' Shaw/Shahs) ' included attorney David Martinez, who called them 'outstanding business people' and said they hold other package-store permits with no TABC violations; other speakers voiced personal support and noted local business experience.
Council debate reflected split views on policy and property rights. Councilmember Dr. Wilson said he does not believe the mere presence of a store near a school 'actually influences children to drink alcohol' and emphasized following existing policy. Other members, including the Mayor Pro Tem and Councilmember Collins, said they supported protecting the environment immediately around schools and were concerned about precedent. Collins also raised a general concern that owners annexed into the city can face a fee and process to conform long-standing uses.
A motion to approve the variance was moved by Councilmember Rose and seconded by Dr. Wilson; the motion failed and the council recorded that the item 'fails unanimously.
The council and staff noted prior related denials (including a 2022 request for 1915 Nineteenth) and that similar recent requests near the Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center were denied. Sager also noted that the property is part of a multi-tenant building where each tenant has a separate street number and that the request was specifically for the 1905 address.
The denial leaves the city's 300-foot separation requirement in place for this site; council members said applicants remain free to pursue other locations that comply with local ordinance requirements.
