GROVES, Texas — On Monday night, Groves City leaders made a decision that could impact neighboring businesses and homes.
Two people are asking for permission to continue operating three existing game rooms within city limits, the city secretary told 12News.
One person currently operates one game room, and the other person currently operates two. They have to go through a process to renew their permits because of recent changes to Groves' ordinances governing game rooms.
In February, Groves City Council voted ‘yes’ to requiring game room owners who want to move into the city to have to apply for a “specific use permit.” This means the public will have more of a say on the type of businesses that are in their area, within a 200-foot radius of residents' homes.
The Planning and Zoning Committee voted Monday to allow the city council to set a date for a public hearing on the three game rooms. There are still four more steps that have to happen.
On May 22, 2023, members of Groves City Council will vote to set a date for a public hearing. If a date is set, the city council will then hold a public hearing on the set date.
After the public hearing, Planning and Zoning Commissioners will put reviewing the input that was given at the hearing on its agenda. Also at the meeting, Planning and Zoning Commissioners will determine what their recommendation to the council will be regarding the approval or denial of renewal.
The recommendation they make will then go on a future agenda of the city council to approve or deny renewal of the permit.
A notice regarding the game rooms went out to the community last week. The locations mainly fall in residential areas, and not all residents are on board.
"I just don't think it's good for a city," DeeDee Pilitere, a Groves resident, said. "They say they don't pay money, but they do pay money."
Specific use permits have certain rules that need to be followed when businesses apply to have them.
“They don't want them right on top of a residential area,” Lance Billeaud, Groves interim city manager, said. “They don't want them too close to schools or close to the churches either. They are kind of wanting a buffer zone of some sorts in that area.”
Officials feel that the city requiring these permits may not impact businesses as much.
"I really don't think it will have too much of an impact because they have those limitations on this type of business," Billeaud said. "We aren't trying to deter anybody from operating their business or existing. We are just trying to operate with the city, and include the community."
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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