The Richardson City Planning Commission recently discussed a request for a special permit for a smoking establishment at 2100 Alamo Road, Suite S. This location, previously home to a restaurant, has been vacant since 2022 after the last tenant moved to a different site. The new applicant, May Cafe, aims to transform the space into a restaurant and hookah lounge.

The property is currently zoned for local retail and was previously approved for a dog daycare facility. However, the future land use plan designates the area as a community commercial space, primarily intended for restaurants, without specific provisions for smoking establishments. The surrounding area includes a bowling alley to the north and various restaurants to the east and south, while an office building and shopping center lie to the west.

The proposed establishment will feature a 3,000 square foot indoor space and a 1,300 square foot outdoor patio, where smoking will be permitted in a designated area. The plan includes restrictions to ensure smoking occurs only on the patio, with a 10-foot buffer from doors and windows. The proposed hours of operation are from 10 AM to midnight on weekdays and until 2 AM on weekends.

Since the city adopted regulations for smoking establishments in 2011, there have been six legal nonconforming hookah lounges and four special permits approved for new smoking establishments. The commission's decision on this request will impact the local community's dining options and the overall atmosphere of the area. As the city continues to navigate the balance between business development and community standards, this proposal highlights the ongoing evolution of Richardson's commercial landscape.