Commission approves special‑use permit for 1891 Exchange & Saloon, refers application to town board

The Kya Planning Commission voted Nov. 19 to approve and forward to the town board a special‑use permit for a new bar called 1891 Exchange & Saloon.

Applicant Tabitha King told the commission she is under contract to purchase a historic Comanche Street building and intends to preserve its character while operating the business as a community asset. ‘‘My vision is for 1891 Exchange and Saloon to become a busy, thriving, profitable establishment that serves as a true asset to Kya,’’ King said. She described plans to restore the building’s historic elements, continue existing apartment rentals above the business, and submit required building plans to meet code.

Staff told the commission that, for this application, no structural changes are proposed and the operation meets current fire‑safety regulations; the patio and existing layout would remain largely unchanged. Commissioners characterized the item as straightforward and moved to approve the special‑use permit and forward it to the town board.

Note on an inconsistency in the record: the agenda listed the application as for 222 Comanche, while the applicant referred in public remarks to being under contract to purchase 322 Comanche Street; the commission and staff did not resolve the address discrepancy during the hearing. The application was approved by the commission with referral to the town board for final review and any licensing actions required by other town processes.

What happens next: the town board will review the referral and staff materials; if the applicant proceeds she must finalize any required building permits and administrative liquor‑license filings separately.