Ordinance limiting number of bars allowed in downtown Round Rock to 11 approved by council

City officials approved an amendment to an ordinance governing the total number of bars in downtown Round Rock, reducing the number of permitted bars to 11.

The measure was approved by the City Council unanimously, with Place 1 Council Member Michelle Ly abstaining, as she owns three businesses in the downtown area.

Previously, a total of 12 bars were allowed in bar district that covers much of the downtown area. "Bars" are defined as establishments that serve alcoholic drinks for on-site consumption but do not have a commercial kitchen or otherwise meet requirements to be designated as a restaurant/bar. Each establishment with a facade longer than 100 feet counts as two bars, under this ordinance.

"If any of those establishments put in a full-blown commercial kitchen as defined by the International Building Code, they're no longer considered a bar, they're considered a restaurant," said Brad Wiseman, planning and development services director. "If anybody new comes forward, same deal."

There are eight establishments operating in downtown—11 under the specifications of the ordinance—with one establishment on a waiting list.

Wiseman said at the June 7 packet briefing that the amendment's approval would not preclude the potential establishment on the waitlist from operating as a bar if an application for a mixed beverage permit were filed with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, or a building permit with the city, by a date later in June.

By limiting the number of bars in its downtown, this adjustment of the city's design standards is intended to encourage a greater variety of commercial uses, city documents state.

A public hearing regarding the amendment was held, but no speakers signed up to comment on the item.