Council grants downtown distillery permit; removes time limit on SUP

The Garland City Council unanimously approved a specific‑use permit allowing brewery/winery/distillery operations at 532 Main Street, in the downtown historic subdistrict, and removed any fixed SUP time limitation.

Lockwood Distilling representatives described the business model and community focus and said most large‑scale production would occur at a separate warehouse facility; the downtown location would operate as a retail tasting room, host events and sell limited product in compliance with Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) rules. Sean Saunders, Lockwood co‑founder, said retail and event programming — including family‑friendly events and small production runs — would be a focus.

Planning staff supported the use as consistent with the comprehensive plan’s community‑center and entertainment‑focused vision for downtown. The planning commission recommended a 30‑year SUP time period; councilmember discussion led to an amendment removing the SUP time limit before final approval.

Councilmember Beard moved approval; Councilmember Luck moved to remove the SUP timeline; Councilmember Dutton seconded the amendment. The council adopted the amendment to remove the timeline unanimously, then approved the SUP as amended.

Staff said the applicant’s operations would be subject to TABC requirements and building and fire code review, and that the retail and event use aligns with downtown activation goals. The approval permits on‑site alcohol service consistent with state law and local code; on‑site distilling in small batches at the site is allowed by the SUP but the applicant said most production will remain at a larger off‑site facility.