Alcohol sales decision tabled for Tiger Mart

he Jacksboro Board of Zoning Adjustment approved one sale of alcoholic beverages variance and tabled another at its meeting last week.

Three members of the BZA were in attendance for the meeting in which two businesses — Tiger Mart and the not-yet-opened JR’s Chophouse, requested variances be granted to allow for the sale of alcohol within 300 feet of a child care facility or school.

After the meeting was called to order, City Manager Mike Smith told the board the 300-foot rule is measured property line to property line in the case of schools and daycares. 

He said in the case of Tiger Mart, the distance is 63 feet. The city mailed out 12 letters to neighboring residents and received three responses. Two were in favor and one was opposed. 

JR’s Chophouse which is to be located at 119 S. Main, currently the Main Street Bistro, is 214 feet from The Parish which has a daycare. 

Fifteen letters were sent to nearby residents with two returned, both in favor, Smith said.

Allsups went before the board December 2016 and was granted based on the fact that the properties were not within line of sight of each other, divided by other buildings and not located on the same street.

In January 2017, Mr. Cut Rate’s variance request was granted on the basis of the same characteristics and Allsups’ precedent.

Tiger Mart, located at 753 W. Belknap, across the street from the Jacksboro ISD Administration Building which houses its daycare and the Jacksboro Middle School campus.

The board approved the variance for JR’s Chophouse based on the precedents of Allsups and Mr. Cut Rate.

Jim Whitsitt, board member, suggested the business not sell alcohol during school hours or until 5 p.m. Shrestha said that was doable.

There was question of the city’s ability to place such a condition and enforcing it.

No decision was made on Tiger Mart’s variance request. It will come before the board after some research into the feasibility of Whitsitt’s suggestion.