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The proposed banquet hall is at 333 S. Bowen Road. (Courtesy image | Arlington Planning & Zoning Commission)
” data-image-caption=”The proposed banquet hall is at 333 S. Bowen Road. (Courtesy map | Arlington Planning & Zoning Commission)
” data-medium-file=”https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image1-7.jpg?fit=300%2C217&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image1-7.jpg?fit=583,421&ssl=1″ tabindex=”0″ role=”button”>A 3,500-square-foot banquet hall in an existing multitenant shopping center at 333 S. Bowen Road in Central Arlington earned unanimous council approval Aug. 27. On July 17, zoning commissioners voted 9-0 to approve the facility after discussing security measures during events at the hall. The specific use permit was requested by Cordelia Odunayo, d/b/a Bliss Banquet Hall. The permit is nonassignable and nontransferable, the city said.Odunayo told the city that the location will not be used for concerts because it is too small for such events. It will be used for private events such as wedding receptions, graduations, anniversaries, quinceañeras, family reunions, baby showers, engagements, rehearsals, bar mitzvahs, corporate meetings, birthday parties or other special events. She said that some events might have alcohol present under a BYOB policy and said that she would require security for such events, just as she does at her facility in Midlothian.The site of the hall is about 5.94 acres overall, with an existing 79,697-square-foot multitenant commercial building and an existing 179,205-square-foot commercial building. Seven businesses currently operate at the site, including a fuel center.Other existing occupants include a grocery store, small-box discount store, a salon and a dental office, according to city documents. The location is near a neighborhood of single-family homes.City documents said that event center patrons will provide food via catering or other means of off-site preparation, and no alcohol will be provided by the applicant at the venue. The hall will not be used as a nightclub.When asked by zoning commissioners if she would agree to ensure that security was present if alcohol was present at an event or if there were a lot of patrons present, Odunayo said, “I agree 100 percent.”In passing the ordinance, the city added a requirement for a police officer or security guard to be present when alcohol was available or if there would be more than 50 patrons present.At the Arlington Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.