Council rejects special-use permit for members-only drinking establishment at 106 East Lufkin Avenue

The Lufkin City Council voted 4–2 to deny a special-use permit that would have allowed a private, members-only drinking establishment and lounge at 106 East Lufkin Avenue.

City staff said the drinking establishment use is allowed in the central business zoning only with a council-approved special-use permit. “We received a special use permit request for drinking establishment for 106 East Lufkin Avenue,” staff said, noting the property’s comprehensive plan designation is mixed use within the downtown planning focus area and that Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously recommended approval.

During council discussion, City Planner Scott Rayburn said the city had not yet received an application for alcohol licensing and noted the 300-foot separation requirement from certain uses. Councilors asked whether the proposed venue would require membership and whether food service would be provided; staff said the proposal was a private, members-only lounge and that it was his understanding that food would not be offered. Council member questions included whether similar membership venues already exist downtown and whether the private membership model limited pedestrian access to the downtown corridor.

A motion to approve the special-use permit was made and seconded. On the voice vote two councilors stated they were opposed and the presiding officer said, “That motion, fails 4 to 2.”