Council Votes 4-1 For Private Club

The process of applying for a Specific Use Permit went through its final stage last week as the Canton City Council voted 4-1 in favor of allowing a private club to operate within the city limits of Canton.

The council approved the adoption of Ordinance 2008-24 granting a Specific Use Permit for the operation of a private club at 17270 Interstate 20 Service Road, Canton, owned by Cobern Family LTD Partnership.

Council members Ron Sanford, Ross Maris, Jim Fuller and Charles "Sonny" Huddle voted in favor of the ordinance, with council member Clay Nicklas in opposition.

"This comes to ya’ll following a recommendation from the P&Z (planning & zoning)," Canton Director of Community Development Rick Malone said. "They are going to do some work and split it (the restaurant). They will have that (a private club) on one side and sell upscale burgers and fries, kinda sportsy, and it will be separate from the other restaurant."

September 18, the Canton Planning & Zoning Commission voted in favor of allowing the Specific Use Permit.

During that meeting restaurant owner Dale Cobern told the board he wanted the opportunity to sell alcoholic beverages in a restaurant with food in order to "beef up our sales," but that his main business is food.

"We are not granting him permission for nothing," Malone said. "…We are just granting him a Specific Use Permit. They will still have to go through the TABC (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission)."

"Do they need this (approval from the council) to go forward with the TABC?" council member Clay Nicklas asked.

Malone explained the application process with the TABC has already begun and a notice has been posted at their adjoining restaurant – Ranchero Restaurant.

Malone went on to say that the Specific Use Permit was adopted in the mid to late ’90s by the city of Canton.

"We can’t stop them from doing so (serving alcohol) if the TABC gives it (the permit)," mayor Rusty Wilson said.

"As long as it meets your requirements, and apparently it does, then there is really not an option," city attorney Richard Davis said.

Resident Kay Murphree asked what the projected tax benefit would be to the community if such a business opened.

"We know it would be positive," Malone said.

City secretary Julie Seymore noted that a combined taxable income to the city of $6,800 was brought in last year from the Van Zandt Country Club and the VFW, both of which serve alcohol on the premises.