Council approves Heights alcohol election for ballot





Read more: Margarita anyone? Old Town Tomball eyes end to liquor ban

less Restaurateur Laura Wilson, owner of Cisco's Salsa Co. in Old Town Tomball, started a petition to overturn a 1944 city ordinance preventing local businesses from selling certain kinds of alcohol. In Harris County, some cities and precincts still have restrictions on booze selling. Do you live in one of them? Restaurateur Laura Wilson, owner of Cisco's Salsa Co. in Old Town Tomball, started a petition to overturn a 1944 city ordinance preventing local businesses from selling certain kinds of alcohol. In Harris ... more Photo: Melissa Phillip, Staff Photo: Melissa Phillip, Staff Image 1 of / 35 Caption Close Council approves Heights alcohol election for ballot 1 / 35 Back to Gallery

Houston Heights residents will see a measure to lift the area's longtime ban on beer and wine sales on their Nov. 8 ballot, after City Council formally called the election Wednesday.

The ballot proposition asks voters whether they support "the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only," meaning they would be allowed to buy alcohol at grocery and convenience stores, to drink elsewhere. The change would not affect beer and wine sales at restaurants.

Grocery retailer H-E-B has pushed for the repeal, and City Secretary Anna Russell confirmed the validity of the Houston Heights Beverage Coalition's petition last week.

If voters opt to lift the 104-year-old ban, the change would go into effect once the Harris County Clerk canvasses the vote, typically about a week after Election Day. Grocery and convenience stores would then have to apply for a permit with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

The dry area of the Heights is bounded by Loop 610 to the north, Oxford Street to the east, Interstate 10 to the south and North Durham Drive to the west.