Permit board affirms police denial; CK Billiards barred from operating as billiard hall for now

The Permit and License Appeal Board of the City of Dallas affirmed on July 3 the chief of police’s decision to deny a billiard‑hall permit for CK Billiards, concluding that the business continued to operate tables and accept patrons after its billiard‑hall license had expired.

The city presented documentary and photographic evidence and multiple site visits by vice‑unit detectives documenting patrons using pool tables on several dates after the March 25, 2025 expiration of the billiard‑hall license issued March 25, 2024. Detective Sonia Haines of the Dallas Police Department’s vice licensing unit testified that the owner, Song, received a citation in February–April 2024 for operating without a permit; the city’s timeline showed an initial renewal application and follow‑up inspections. Detectives said a citation was issued after inspectors observed billiard tables in use on April 9 and that subsequent visits in May and June again documented patrons using tables despite the denial letter.

Appellant representatives — including manager Brandon Moore and owner Jason (Jay) Song, with interpreter Bone Ku — said the lapse resulted from a missed renewal amid language barriers and managerial turnover. They told the board they applied promptly once they were aware of the requirement, paid the citation and submitted renewal materials; they described the financial consequences of losing the billiards permit, saying they have 16 pool tables, a capacity of about 269, and a lease running through next May. The appellant asked the board to reverse the denial or allow temporary continued operations until the lease expires.

Board members questioned the appellant about when the license had been displayed and how renewal notices were handled. Detective Haines testified the March 25, 2024 license explicitly showed the one‑year term and that the unit had followed its procedures: investigators inspected after reports and when applications arrived, documented the continued operation and issued a denial letter (certified) when the application was not completed prior to expiration. The city’s denial letter stated that operation was prohibited after the denial.

At the close of argument the board held a recorded vote to affirm the chief of police. Member Quint moved to affirm the chief’s denial and the motion passed (seven in favor, two opposed). Members supporting affirmance cited repeated post‑expiration operation and the statute’s renewal timing; members opposing the motion urged more flexibility for a small business that cited language barriers and managerial turnover but were outvoted.

The board’s action affirms the chief of police’s denial of the billiard‑hall permit under Chapter 9A, Dallas City Code. The decision is limited to the permit appeal; the board did not rule on unrelated claims about nightclub or parking‑lot disturbances. The parties were told to expect written findings to be emailed to them.