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Katy council approves variance allowing alcohol sales at Old Katy Patio event venue
Summary
The City of Katy granted a variance to allow Old Katy Patio LLP to sell alcoholic beverages at 1306 Avenue A after a brief discussion about proximity to Katy Elementary and operational controls. The city policechief said the change poses no police department concerns if service is controlled.
The Katy City Council voted to grant a variance from City of Katy Code of Ordinances section 4.02.0.001 on March 24 to allow Old Katy Patio LLP to sell alcoholic beverages at 1306 Avenue A.
The action, introduced as an ordinance to “grant a variance from the enforcement of section 4.02.0.001 … to allow Old Katy Patio LLP to sell alcoholic beverages at 1306 Avenue A, Katy, Texas 77493,” passed after a motion by Councilmember Kort and a second by Councilmember Robertson. Mayor Dusty Thio called for the ayes and declared the motion carried.
The applicants described the site as an existing wedding and event venue that currently operates primarily on weekend evenings and adheres to the city’s 11 p.m. noise ordinance. Applicant Keith Cho told council that the venue currently operates BYOB service with staff certified by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to serve alcohol and that the request would “bring in an extra revenue generation.”
Assistant Chief Tim Tyler told council the police department had no objections. “As far as police department goes, there’s no problem,” Tyler said, adding that allowing staff to provide alcohol could be “a lot safer” than unsupervised BYOB.
Council members discussed how the city measures the 300-foot separation from schools in ordinance language; one council member noted the measurement used for schools is property line to property line rather than door to door, which can shorten the distance. Council members also expressed concern about events near Katy Elementary but said, given the venue’s typical evening schedule, they did not foresee daytime conflicts.
The ordinance does not list an ordinance number in the meeting record. The motion passed with the council voice vote recorded as “motion carries.”
The council did not attach conditions in the meeting minutes beyond the standard ordinance language. Councilmembers said they expect the venue to be held accountable for compliance with city noise regulations and state liquor laws.
The city clerk will codify the ordinance and return the final, signed document to the city records.
