Zoning commission recommends denial of Texas Car Club special use permit for 1101 Ranch Road 620 North

The Lakeway Zoning and Planning Commission voted 4-2 to recommend that City Council deny a special use permit for a private automobile gallery and car club at 1101 Ranch Road 620 North.

The proposal, brought by Drunner Group PC on behalf of the property owner and to be operated by Texas Car Club, sought permission to operate a members-only automobile gallery and private car club on a 1.384-acre lot (Lots 37 and 38, Cardinal Hills Estates Unit 11). The applicant described the business as a membership-focused social club and gallery, with an interior showroom, concierge services and occasional member events. Tim Noe, owner and founder of Texas Car Club, told the commission, "We have 2 locations, 1 in Fort Worth, 1 in Dallas, and we are not a car dealer." Drew Rafael, agent for the owner, described the venue as a low-intensity, membership-based operation intended to attract 50 to 100 members and generate sales-tax revenue from membership fees, storage/maintenance fees and food and beverage at events.

Commissioners and residents questioned several operational details. Staff and the applicant noted the site plan currently shows 23 parking spaces; staff highlighted Lakeway's light-industrial parking standard would suggest about 40 spaces for the proposed building footprint. Commissioners asked how the venue would handle larger member events and whether the proposed shared or stacked parking approaches would be adequate. The applicant said interior lifts and reconfiguration of gallery space would allow double-stacking of vehicles and that a shared parking arrangement with adjacent property owners could provide overflow spaces.

The applicant provided revenue projections: about $33,000 in city tax revenue in year one, rising to $70,000–$75,000 in years two and three and an estimated $115,000 by year five. The commission asked whether membership fees, storage fees and concierge services would be taxable and how those estimates were calculated; staff said the city’s sales-tax reporting is not granular enough to precisely confirm those projections in real time.

Residents who spoke during citizens participation were split. Andrea Keenan, a Lakeway resident, called the project "an elitist proposition" and urged development that would attract broader public use and consistent revenue. Another resident and property owner, Dylan Chander Soma, supported the concept and called car-enthusiast destinations a potential revenue and destination generator for the area.

After public comment and discussion, the commission considered motions. An initial motion to recommend approval failed. Commissioners then moved to recommend denial; that recommendation passed 4-2. The denial recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action.

The commission’s written concerns included: the parking shortfall shown on the submitted site plan (23 spaces vs. staff's ~40-space estimate), mixed character of the use (long-term vehicle storage vs. social club), uncertainty about projected tax revenue, and potential competitive impacts on adjacent commercial condo garage owners. Staff reiterated that building, fire and health inspections would apply if the project proceeds and noted a building permit and TxDOT approval would still be required for 620 access.

The developer may bring the proposal to City Council despite the commission's recommendation; council will consider the same materials and public testimony before making a final decision.