Council revives liquor-by-drink specific-use permit for family-friendly bar at Breon & West Main

The Nacogdoches City Council voted unanimously May 21 to approve a specific-use permit allowing liquor by the drink at a property on the southwest corner of Breon Street and West Main Street.

City planning staff said the SU was originally approved in September 2021 but lapsed because construction did not begin; the ordinance governing SU time limits requires re-approval if construction is not underway. The applicant proposes a family-friendly indoor/outdoor bar and food-service venue designed to accommodate local food trucks and outdoor recreation. The property is zoned B2 and I1, with a residential zoning pocket on one corner that triggers the SU requirement because the proposed use would be within 300 feet of a residential district.

Staff told the council they sent 11 notices and received two written responses in favor; the proposal includes preserving a 30–70 foot vegetative buffer on the south and west property lines. The applicant proposes about 35 parking spaces while the code requires 40; staff said a shared-parking agreement with an adjacent property will cover the shortfall. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval unanimously on May 13.

Jeremy Gotell, speaking for the applicant, thanked staff and said the partners hope to break ground this year and open in the fall.

After questions about the duration and form of the shared-parking agreement, the council moved and unanimously approved the permit with the listed conditions, including hours of operation from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily and preservation of the vegetative buffer.