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Bulverde council approves music and zoning requests, conditions park events on insurance
Summary
Bulverde’s city council approved a special-use permit for live music at a cigar lounge, rezoned a 0.201-square-mile tract to large-lot residential, approved a conditional Music in the Park ordinance subject to insurance and waivers, and authorized an interlocal policing agreement and a legal settlement.
Bulverde city council approved a string of land-use and administrative actions Tuesday, including a special-use permit to allow live music at a cigar lounge, a zoning change for a 0.201-square-mile parcel, conditional approval for three park events, and an interlocal agreement for school policing services.
The council approved an ordinance granting a special-use permit to allow live music as an accessory use at a business on U.S. Highway 281 that previously had been approved as a cigar lounge. A council member moved for approval and the presiding official announced the measure passed by voice vote. Planning and zoning had recommended the permit with hours of operation (Sunday 2 p.m.–8 p.m.; Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m.). The applicant told the council the music is intended to provide ambiance, not ticketed performances: “We’re just trying to get a soft opening which we’ve been soft open about 6 weeks,” the representative said.
Council also approved an ordinance to establish R‑1 zoning—5‑acre lots—for an approximately 0.201‑square‑mile tract, consistent with a previously approved development agreement and the property’s recent annexation. Staff told the council the rezoning implements the development agreement that set the lot pattern and that the item is the next phase of the agreed plan.
On event permitting, the council considered a request from the Bulverde Museum and Music in the Park for use of Bulverde Community Park on Sept. 13, Oct. 4 and Oct. 25, 2025, and for waivers of code provisions (food‑truck fees, vehicle access to the gazebo, and other fees). Organizers and staff discussed an insurance quote and the structure of the nonprofit handling the events (identified in meeting comments as BCPA and a Music in the Park subentity). Council members and staff repeatedly said the key outstanding item was proof of insurance. Staff said the city cannot place the event on the city’s insurance and requires a certificate listing the city as an additional insured and execution of an attorney‑provided release. The council approved the ordinance on the condition that organizers provide a certificate of additional insured and execute the required release before the city authorizes park use.
The council also approved an interlocal agreement with Comal Independent School District for provision of law enforcement services; staff said city‑attorney recommended language had been inserted and contract numbers updated. A council member moved to approve the interlocal as presented.
In post‑executive session action, the council directed the city manager to place amendments to Chapter 1 of the city code on a future meeting agenda and approved a mediated settlement involving named plaintiffs, authorizing the mayor to execute related documents.
What’s next: The live‑music special‑use permit now stands approved under the hours recommended by planning and zoning; the park events may proceed only after the organizer provides the certificate of additional insured and executes the release the city requires. The rezoning and the interlocal agreement were advanced as described; staff will bring Chapter 1 code amendments back for council review as directed in the meeting.
(Reporting based on the public meeting recording and statements read into the record.)
