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Planning and Zoning OKs HotShots liquor permit with weekend peace-officer requirement
Summary
The Midland Planning and Zoning Commission approved a specific-use designation for HotShots, allowing on-premises sale of all alcoholic beverages in a lounge at 615 West Wall Street, and modified a staff condition to require two certified peace officers on Friday and Saturday nights between 9 p.m. and 1:45 a.m.; the vote was 7-0.
The Midland Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-0 to approve a specific-use designation (SUD) allowing HotShots to sell all alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption at 615 West Wall Street, subject to conditions and a modified public-safety requirement.
Staff presented the item as an SUD for a 4,200-square-foot building with a 4,000-square-foot alcohol-service area, proposing hours of Tuesday through Saturday, 6 p.m. to 1:45 a.m. Alexis, planning staff, said one objection had been received and recommended approval subject to conditions A–H.
The decision followed more than an hour of public comment and discussion about police call loads in the area, off-duty officer availability and mitigation measures. Patrick Cordero, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said HotShots has operated since 1999 and described steps the business offered to reduce problems, including cameras, wristbands to track patrons across nearby bars and a $15 credit to encourage ride services. “We want to be good corporate citizens,” Cordero said.
Owner David Chen said he learned the SUD application paperwork had lapsed years earlier and that the business had closed after being told to cease operations March 20 while the permitting issue was resolved. “We’ve been in business since 1999. We have never been cited by the police officer, never been in trouble with the TABC,” Chen said.
Deputy Chief Brian Rayko of the Midland Police Department said call volume in the block includes multiple nearby bars and that incidents have continued since HotShots closed, likely because patrons go to adjacent businesses. Rayko said off-duty officers have historically worked some downtown establishments; he said the city sets off-duty rates and that officers’ availability varies with demand. “If we cannot fill the off duty, that off duty goes out to MISD, Midland College, DPS,” Rayko said.
During deliberations commissioners and staff discussed staff recommendation D, which originally required two off-duty certified peace officers from 9 p.m. to 1:45 a.m. nightly. Commissioner Richardson moved to modify that condition so the two certified peace officers would be required only on Friday and Saturday nights between 9 p.m. and 1:45 a.m.; Commissioner Cisneaga seconded the motion. The commission approved the amended motion 7-0.
Assistant City Manager Jose Ortiz, speaking for staff, suggested the city and nearby property owners could seek a cooperative approach to safety measures and said staff would pursue side discussions with neighboring businesses about shared solutions.
The SUD as approved maintains the other staff conditions, including operational and site requirements presented by staff. The commission record shows the vote passed 7-0.
The decision was procedural: staff noted city council can impose conditions if the item advances to council review.
