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Council approves rezoning of 301 E. Avenue D for bar concept despite public objections
Summary
The council rezoned 301 E Avenue D in the downtown Historic Overlay District from B5 to BC1 to allow a bar/speakeasy concept after staff and Planning & Zoning recommended approval; some residents urged conditional use permits instead. Council approved the rezoning 7–0.
KILLEEN, Texas — The City Council voted 7–0 on Dec. 2 to rezone a small downtown property at 301 E. Avenue D from B5 (Business) with a Historic Overlay District designation to BC1 (General Business and Alcohol Sales) with the same overlay.
Staff presented aerials and context for the site and said 69 surrounding property owners were notified; no responses were received in the notification period and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval, 4–1. Staff stated the applicant intends to operate a bar concept similar to a speakeasy at the address.
Public commenter Melissa Brown opposed changing additional HOD properties to BC1 by right and urged instead a conditional-use-permit process so the city could require additional conditions and avoid turning downtown into a concentration of bars. Another speaker, Michael Funino, said he had no strong preference but asked what the city had done to set applicants up for success and urged support for downtown enterprises.
Councilmembers moved and seconded approval; the motion carried 7–0. Staff said there were no council questions that altered the staff recommendation and noted Planning & Zoning’s support.
