Board grants alcohol-distance waiver and conditional-use permit for Midnight District hookah lounge with recorded parking condition

The Planning & Zoning Board approved a conditional use permit and an alcohol-distance waiver enabling Midnight District LLC to operate a hookah and social lounge at 317 North Dixie Highway.

Community planner Rosie Escobar told the board the site (built in 1958) is currently vacant and that approval would allow the owner to address outstanding code violations, obtain a business license and pursue a use and occupancy inspection. Staff said the proposed venue would employ about nine staff, operate daily from 4 PM to 2 AM (applicant requested 2 AM closing) and had provided a shared parking agreement to meet required parking; staff added conditions requiring a recorded shared parking agreement, a bike rack, noise-control compliance and a state approval for on-site alcohol consumption.

Board members raised concerns about indoor hookah and smoking permissibility, proximity to residential properties behind the site and the adequacy and permanence of shared parking agreements. Staff and board members clarified that some state regulations allow indoor hookah under certain conditions related to food-sales percentage; staff also noted condition number 8 on page 7 of the staff report addresses revocation of a business license for chronic nuisance.

Staff proposed and the board accepted additional conditions: specify hours of operation (4 PM–2 AM) in the approval, require the shared parking agreement to be recorded with the clerk of courts, and adjust an existing condition to restrict disposal/dumping between 10 PM and 7 AM. The board moved, seconded and approved the application with amended conditions; there were no votes in opposition.

Board members said the application highlighted larger policy questions about waivers, downtown intensity and parking regulation; staff invited members to a June 17 workshop to discuss potential LDR changes.