The Austin City Council is set to hear a request from Wheatsville Co-op on whether it can sell beer and wine at a new location on South Lamar Boulevard.
A respected local business looking to open a second location, with the backing of neighbors and local organizations: sounds like a slam-dunk, right?
But here’s the problem: Wheatsville South is situated within 300 feet of a school – in this case, the Ann Richards School For Young Women Leaders – which means alcohol sales are prohibited. And Wheatsville is looking to get around that by requesting a waiver from the council.
The ample backup material on the item includes a letter from AISD opposing alcohol sales. It cites “a belief that alcohol sales ear schools near schools is not generally conducive to a positive and safe learning environment.” Another letter is also filed from a neighbor questioning the impact of traffic traveling though the neighborhood.
But that’s about it, as far as opposition goes. The other letters on file include notes of support from the South Lamar Neighborhood Association, the Sustainable Food Center, and other organizations.
Wheatsville's waiver request comes before the City Council no earlier than 4 p.m. today.
