What happened?
The permit required two council meetings before approval, as council members and residents voiced concerns about the amount of smoke the intended restaurant would produce in the area as a result of operations. Provisions were included for the restaurant to include an instrument that reduced smoke emissions by 95%.
“I just want to thank you. From [city council’s] concerns last week, you guys responded. You guys have a plan for 95% reduction. That’s a great plan. This is ideally how governments and businesses work together,” Place 4 Council Member Peter Gordon said.
Much of Council’s apprehension regarding the incoming business was related to Council's previous zoning approval for industrial development alongside residential areas, Mayor Mike Snyder said.
Council member place 6 Amberley Kolar contested the “micromanagement” of business development within the city as Snyder proposed the additional language within the special-use permit.
“I do have concerns about businesses wanting to come into our community and our community not giving them a chance," Kolar said.
Quote of note
El Pollo Rico CEO Ramon Momin spearheaded the processes for opening the Hutto location.
"This has been a long time coming," El Pollo Rico CEO Ramon Momin said. "We've tried multiple times coming into Hutto, but the competition was so tight with some of these bigger, bigger companies. We were finally able to find a place where we think El Pollo Rico will do wonderful.”
Next steps
With the permit approval, the restaurant is expected to open in January of 2025.
