Planning commission approves cigar‑lounge special‑use permit but bars on on‑site alcohol

The City of Laredo Planning and Zoning Commission on a recommendation vote approved a special‑use permit for a smoking establishment (cigar lounge) at 2411 Jackman Road, Suite 400, but explicitly prohibited on‑premise alcohol consumption. The applicant, identifying his business as Porciona Cigar Whiskey Lounge, will be allowed indoor smoking under the permit only if the business does not serve alcohol on the premises.

The commission’s approval followed a lengthy staff presentation that recommended denial. Planning staff told commissioners that the land development code defines “smoking establishment” and includes cigar lounges but the city’s health and sanitation ordinance (Chapter 15, Article 6) prohibits smoking in bars and other public places — creating a conflict when a business both allows on‑site smoking and serves alcohol. Planning staff summarized that “once you have the commingling of those uses, we have to go to our health code, which does prohibit smoking in all public places, including restaurants and bars.”

Applicant Jeronio Contrino, who described himself as founder and…