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Council allows American Legion to extend hours but limits late-night service to weekend nights
Summary
After public comment and a planning-and-zoning recommendation, Alpine City Council approved a special-use permit allowing American Legion Post 79 to hold late-night hours until 2 a.m., amended to limit extended hours to Friday and Saturday nights only.
The Alpine City Council voted to grant American Legion Post No. 79 a special-use permit allowing late-night sales until 2 a.m., but amended the permit to allow those extended hours only on Friday and Saturday nights. The council’s action followed public comment from nearby residents and a recommendation to approve from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The issue mattered to neighbors who said late-night activity would harm quality of life and to Legion representatives who said the occasional later hours support fundraisers and community programs. "I'm here to oppose their request to extend operating hours until 2 a.m.," resident Shelly Atwood told the council, saying she lives about 200 feet from the post and that late music and patrons create safety and noise concerns. "I urge you to reject this permit," she added. Andy Ramos, speaking for American Legion Post No. 79, said the organization is "a family‑oriented organization" and that extended hours would be used mainly on Fridays and Saturdays for occasional fundraisers.
City staff noted the property is inside a C2 Business District and that state law requires a late-hour certificate from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for alcohol service past midnight. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval; the full council debated the proposal in public session and considered both residents’ complaints about noise and safety and the Legion’s fundraising needs. After failing to postpone the decision for additional noise testing, council members approved a motion to grant the permit with a written condition limiting late hours to Friday and Saturday nights (effectively allowing 2 a.m. service those weekend nights). Police and city staff said they have had few recent noise complaints tied to the Legion (the most recent music complaint cited to council occurred in 2022) but acknowledged neighbors had raised issues in public comment.
The council recorded a vote on the amended motion: tally yes 4, no 1 (Council member Stevens voted no). The permit applies to the location identified in the application, 306 West Sewell Ross Avenue, parcel ID 11884; the zoning classification remains C2 Business District. Under the city’s process the special‑use permit includes the council’s conditions and will be part of the official permit documentation.
The council did not adopt a citywide change to hours of operation; staff said an updated alcohol ordinance is under consideration that would clarify which zoning districts automatically qualify for late‑hour permits. For now, the Legion’s permit is limited to weekend late hours by council action.
The Legion and neighbors were told the council’s decision and the signed permit will be reflected in the city’s record and in any TABC notification needed to complete the late‑hour certificate process.
