The city of Bee Cave is taking another step towards keeping Planet K away. The chain trying to open up shop is now under a temporary restraining order. The City of Bee Cave also got the restraining order against Planet K to keep the business from painting a mural on the building.
Earlier this month, the Bee Cave city council redefined certain ordinances that made it more difficult for Planet K to locate there. Tuesday night, council members altered a zoning ordinance to try to keep Planet K from moving into the property it purchased.
Planet K is hoping to open its 12th store where the Trading Post Bar and Grill now sits on State Highway 71. The zoning designation is considered town center or general retail. However, Tuesday night, the Bee Cave city council determined Planet K is an adult novelty store, therefore it cannot be located there.
"They don't allow anyone in under 18 years of age," said Frank Salvato, the Bee Cave City Administrator. "That's not a general retail according to our zoning."
Frank Salvato, the Bee Cave City administrator says any adult novelty, tattoo parlor or sexually oriented business that wants to locate in Bee Cave must do so in areas considered commercial zoning.
"How do you change the rules after the game has started?" asked Michael Kleinman, the owner of Planet K. "They're just manipulating the big government to squash the poor little retailer, and it is just nuts."
Some Bee Cave residents we talked to say they want Planet K to locate somewhere else.
"This is a family community, and I don't think it has a place here," said Kelley Anderson, a Bee Cave resident.
"It seems like a pretty ridiculous place to put one in this area," said Karen Thornton, a Bee Cave resident. "I don't think they really know their market, for one."
Others don't see the harm in allowing Planet K to give it a try in Bee Cave.
"We've had several different businesses in the area that have popped up and then disappeared very quickly," said Ray Bercerra, a Bee Cave resident. "I think everybody deserves a fair chance."
"Nobody has to come shop at Planet K," said Kleinman. "If we're so hated and nobody wants us there, nobody will come to our store and shop. We will close our doors, because we cannot afford to stay open, but they're not willing to let the system work."
