City approves alcohol sales variance for Oak Creek Café
At their July 9 City Hall meeting, the Dripping Springs City Council voted to approve a variance which allows Oak Creek Cafe to sell alcohol at its location within the required buffer zone of 300 feet from a school (district) property boundary line.
Cafe owner, Penny Henderson, made a tearful presentation at the hearing, explaining her hardship if her TABC permit is revoked. The cafe has been serving wine and beer for over a year due to an error on Henderson’s application at the time it was filed. The cafe, which has served the community for over 12 years, is located in the Hamburger Hill Subdivision, at 660 W US Hwy 290, and resides in the proximity of Walnut Springs Elementary School.
The City Council’s variance approval was by a vote of (4-1). The approval was opposed by Council Member Manassian, as well as the Dripping Springs Planning and Zoning Commission, who voted to recommend variance denial (3-2), based on a desire to be consistent with the ordinance.
Hardship is one of several valid reasons to grant a variance on city regulations, according to City Attorney Laura Mueller. Henderson did not make a presentation at the June 25thP&Z hearing.