Council grants initial one‑year permit for Hispanic Heritage Celebration in Town Square, allows alcohol sales for first year with staff review

The City Council voted 7–0 on March 3 to grant a specific use permit for a Hispanic Heritage Celebration to be held in Southlake Town Square, approving an initial one‑year term with the option to extend up to three years following successful staff review.

Staff described the proposal as a one‑day festival (primary date Sept. 26, 2026) with an estimated 3,000–5,000 attendees, vendors, a kids zone and live performances. For 2026 the applicant requested permission to sell alcohol; staff noted any alcohol sales would require appropriate TABC licensing. Planning & Zoning recommended approval and originally proposed a three‑year term, but council members expressed concern about park recovery time and the new alcohol component, and agreed to a one‑year conditional approval.

Beatty Barker, the event organizer, said the group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and that proceeds benefit community charities; she said alcohol sales would help generate funds to support that work. Council members emphasized operational concerns: limiting alternate dates to a single backup (Oct. 3, 2026) to avoid conflicts with Oktoberfest and to give parks staff recovery time; council also discussed waiving fees or providing multiyear extension if the first year is successful and staff reports show no significant incidents.

The motion approved the SUP for one year, approved Oct. 3 as a single backup date, and directed staff to conditionally extend the permit for two additional years following satisfactory post‑event reports from city departments. Enforcement of licensing and safety requirements remains a condition of the permit.