Denton City Council approves rezoning of residential property for possible jazz lounge, hotel

A new jazz lounge and hotel could come to Denton following the unanimous approval from City Council to rezone approximately 5.36 acres of land near Barthold Road and I-35. Council members approved the zoning change at an April 7 meeting.

The details

City Council officials rezoned the area from rural residential to general office to facilitate the development. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the zoning change at a Feb. 25 meeting.

A house and accessory buildings currently sit on the property. City documents show the owners, Arthur and Kathryn Smuck, tentatively plan to repurpose the house into a restaurant and add a fire pit and event space on the property.

Documents show the owners may also add retail space and a hotel to the property, although no plans have been submitted to the city to review.

A presentation from Denton Assistant Planner Matt Bodine shows the property sits along a Texas Department of Transportation realignment of FM 1173, which will connect Barthold Road to FM 1173.

Looking ahead

Fiscal analysis from city staff shows that the future development could add roughly $12.8 million to the city’s general fund over the next 40 years, or through 2065. The revenue streams include retail sales tax, alcohol taxes and utilities charges, though there are no developments currently planned.