Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Commercial Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Downtown restaurant proposal seeks liquor service, open‑air entertainment and gravel parking; commission advises caution on noise and permits
Summary
Developers outlined plans to convert a former nursery on FM 105 into an indoor-outdoor restaurant with liquor service, outdoor entertainment and family areas, and asked for flexibility on gravel parking and minor drive-up pickup; commissioners pressed on noise limits, liquor proximity to school property and permitting for outdoor events.
Applicants presented June 2 about converting the former ANA nursery on FM 105 into a restaurant and entertainment venue with indoor and outdoor seating, liquor service and a family-friendly play area.
Gabe Nunes, who said he was representing the ownership group, described the concept as an indoor-outdoor entertainment area that would reuse the existing building shell and provide outdoor stages and gathering space: “we want to repurpose the building … leave that main building, use it structurally if possible,” he told the commission. Owner Ryan Ralph said the proposal would become an indoor-outdoor entertainment venue, not simply a replica of the applicant’s existing Crawfish Kai, and that outdoor live music would be limited: “I don’t plan on having live music till 2 a.m. or anything past 10 to be honest with you.”
The applicants asked the commission for feedback on several planning items: a possible variance to allow gravel parking rather than a fully paved lot to reduce upfront costs, options for a pickup/drive-up bay to sell prepared seafood, and how to manage lighting and noise for outdoor entertainment. Staff and commissioners noted that outdoor entertainment and liquor service may require a special‑use permit or a conditional use and cautioned about proximity to an MISD administrative building and nearby child-related uses; one commissioner observed the site has no residential neighbors immediately adjacent and that ordinances on liquor distance and measurement (“to the door” rather than “as the crow flies”) would apply.
Applicants said site utilities (water, sewer) would need to be extended; there is no current water/sewer hookup. They also emphasized tree preservation and using the existing canopy as a noise buffer. Commissioners asked the applicants to return with final site plans, material samples, a formal parking proposal (including ADA spaces), and to coordinate any outdoor‑entertainment permits with the city.
The item was discussion only; no vote was taken.
