The details
According to Pflugerville city code, a lounge differs from a restaurant or bar because the business must receive less than 50% of its revenue through food or alcoholic beverage sales. The specific use permit will allow customers to smoke and drink alcoholic beverages inside the cigar shop.
What they're saying
During a public hearing for the zoning ordinance, some residents raised concerns over allowing a lounge to exist nearby a neighborhood, church and school. First Baptist Church and the Pflugerville Academic and Career Education High School are near the new store, and there is a neighborhood 200 feet from the site.
"It's a straight shot to our house with all that noise; there's nothing between us at all," resident Becky Halpin said. "I'm very sad that it's across the street from a school."
The lounge owners said they have been compliant with the permitted noise limits and haven't had a problem with the illegal sale of alcohol or tobacco to minors. They also voiced their intention for the lounge to be a place of relaxation rather than a "party."
"It's been described as a bar, [but] music is typically a lot lower [at a lounge]," Larry Foote, co-owner of East Pecan Cigars, said. "People go to a cigar lounge for their time [and] for their space."
Additionally, the permit only allows for the lounge activity to take place indoors, Assistant City Manager Emily Barron said.
What else?
First Baptist Church previously owned the land at 701 West Pecan Street and issued a deed at its sale that aims to disallow a business that sells alcohol. However, the specific use permit does not affect the deed, and the two property owners must settle the dispute themselves, according to the city.
- 701 West Pecan Street, Pflugerville
