The City of Fulshear Planning and Zoning Commission on April 4 recommended approval of two linked ordinances that would change how the city regulates on-site and off-site alcoholic consumption uses in the downtown district.

Commissioners voted to recommend Ordinance No. 2025-1483, which amends Chapter 28 (Coordinated Development Ordinance) Article 2, and Ordinance No. 2025-1484, which amends portions of Chapter 4 governing alcoholic beverages. The recommendation included a specific condition: liquor stores must adhere to a 300-foot distance requirement from schools.

The commission heard a staff presentation explaining two main options under consideration. One option would remove distance requirements for schools, day cares and churches; the other would remove churches from those protections while keeping a 300-foot requirement for schools. Staff also proposed adding a notice requirement so developers would notify nearby uses when a development is proposed within a stated radius (300 or 500 feet as described in the packet).

Commissioners raised practical questions about which licenses and uses the amendments would affect. Staff clarified the proposed changes target uses that are principally alcohol-centric — bars, liquor stores, breweries, distilleries — and that restaurants where less than 50% of revenue derives from alcohol would generally be excluded. Staff said the city can adopt these local distance rules at its discretion and noted the county’s related rules apply only in unincorporated areas.

Commissioners also discussed whether the city could differentiate by license type and whether late-night hours should be limited. Staff identified an additional amendment limiting late-night hours, cutting permitted hours from 2 a.m. to midnight for some uses.

After discussion, Commissioner Dowdall moved and Commissioner Nalvo seconded a motion to recommend approval of Ordinance No. 2025-1483 with the stipulation that liquor stores adhere to the 300-foot rule from schools; commissioners voted in favor. The commission then moved to mirror that recommendation for Ordinance No. 2025-1484; the motion passed.

The commission’s recommendation is advisory; final action will be taken by the Fulshear City Council at a later public hearing. The city staff packet and the proposed ordinance text are on file with the City Secretary and available for public inspection.