An upscale cocktail lounge called Magnolia Proof is one council vote away from opening on League City's west side after City Council unanimously approved its special use permit on first reading Tuesday, Aug. 11.
The lounge would occupy a 2,500-square-foot space near Rotolo's Craft & Crust in the Magnolia Creek Planned Unit Development, near 4550 W. League City Parkway. City Council is scheduled to take the second and final vote on the permit at its Tuesday, Aug. 25 meeting.
The permit is required under League City's Unified Development Code because Magnolia Proof would serve alcohol inside the Magnolia Creek PUD, which is zoned for general commercial use, Community Impact reported.
League City resident Jacob Stucie spoke in favor of the permit at the Aug. 11 meeting, telling council members the lounge would fill a gap on the city's developing west side.
"This isn't a dive bar," Stucie said. "It's a locally owned, upscale cocktail bar with a focus on quality drinks and good atmosphere."
What the permit restricts
The SUP locks Magnolia Proof into an upscale cocktail lounge format. If the business ever wanted to shift to a dive bar, nightclub, dance hall or sports bar, the owner would need to come back before City Council for an amended permit, according to city documents.
That condition gives the council ongoing control over the type of alcohol-serving establishment that operates in the space.
Where it fits
The Magnolia Creek PUD sits along the West League City Parkway corridor, an area that has added restaurants and retail in recent years. The development was originally created with a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone and master plan on June 14, 1999, according to city records.
Rotolo's Craft & Crust, the pizza restaurant that anchors the nearby retail strip, is at 4550 W. League City Parkway.
What's next
The Aug. 25 vote is the final step. If council approves the second reading, the permit takes effect and Magnolia Proof can move forward with buildout. No opening timeline or construction schedule has been announced.
