Planning commissioners approve special use permit for event center at 3100 E. Whitestone

The Cedar Park Planning & Zoning Commission on July 21 voted unanimously to approve a special use permit (C120252SUP) to convert a roughly 2‑acre vacant drugstore at 3100 East Whitestone into an event center.

Cindy Schlanger, a planner in the city’s Development Services department, told the commission the proposal "conforms to city codes and the comprehensive plan" and that the site is served by adequate utilities. Schlanger said there are no single‑family homes within 500 feet of the property, which exempts the applicant from the neighborhood communication requirement.

Architect Ken Smith, representing the applicant, said most work is interior and the applicant proposes an occupancy of about 300, below the building’s prior layout of 384. "We're actually gonna be a little bit under," Smith said, describing weekend‑focused events such as small weddings and parties and interior renovations with some exterior façade updates to match neighboring buildings.

Commissioners pressed the team on parking and traffic. The applicant and representative described expanding parking from 78 to 93 spaces using existing paved areas and said the site will contribute a fee to the existing Silverado traffic impact analysis rather than complete a new study; staff said the project was estimated to add roughly 133 trips and that the existing TIA would accommodate the impact.

Applicant representative Vince Heavinger said the reuse will bring sales tax revenue to Cedar Park and highlighted landscaping and median improvements planned for the major intersection. The commission moved to approve item 252SUP as presented; the motion carried on a 5–0 roll call vote.

The commission record shows staff recommended approval, and the decision now goes to City Council for subsequent readings as required by local procedure.