The Petition passed and so did the vote – it has been approved for Richland Hills
Can the City of Richland Hills talk to potential liquor stores about doing business in our town – restricted to Blvd 26 (Grapevine Hwy) and requiring a Special Use Permit that allows the City to be very particular about the brand and scale of such a retail outlet.
Should a retail liquor store pass those tests, and build in our town:
Then the sales taxes currently going to Hurst from our Neighbors in NRH & Haltom City as well as our own citizens will come into the general fund of our town. Increasing our city’s revenue is good for everyone – especially for the infrastructure needs.
For those that worry about crime & strain on our Police Department:
Alcohol is already sold in every convenience store, Walmart and Kroger around us – in the form of beer and wine. Having a specialty store that sells craft beers, specialty wines and other liquors as well as charcuterie trays (meat and cheese party trays) and specialty cigars and more, is just more upscale than the local gas station selling beer and wine.
According to internet research by several and communication with other cities – these type of stores provide diversity in our retail sector, encourage more upscale retail and provide the product that many of our residents and near by neighbors desire. There are 2800 adults (mostly 30-40) moving into City Point, and we have 120+ townhomes being built on Baker Blvd, so another 240+ adults potentially. If we don’t provide the retail stores they desire, then the tax dollars will go to Hurst & NRH – and fund their growth, not ours.
An interesting article – some thoughts on future town development and the maintenance of old and new infrastructure.
https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2022/3/2/corner-liquor-stores-vs-fancy-shopping-malls
About Hurst Liquor Sales – from the Star Telegram:
The Kite Realty Group based in Indianapolis that owns properties in Hurst, hired Texas Petition Strategies to oversee the petition drive. John Hatch, president of Texas Petition Strategies, said Hurst will need 4,558 signatures to call the election. Hatch said that if voters approve liquor stores, it would mean an additional 86 jobs and almost $200,000 in additional sales tax revenue. “Cities are taking it on the chin right now with sales tax and property tax losses,” he said. “One of the things they’ve shown is that package stores weather the storm and help cities recover some of what they are losing,” Hatch said.