In an effort to maintain proper safety standards for local businesses, Hollywood Park Fire Chief Eric Burnside proposed the implementation of a more robust fire-based permit fee schedule for commercial customers during the March 18 City Council meeting.

The big picture: Burnside said Hollywood Park has a limited permit fee structure with very minimal fire department based permits. According to the presentation, there is currently one fire-related construction permit, which is a $300 flat fee and does not account for whether or not the inspection is for a new installation, modification or job size, such as inspecting a full system or a few sprinkler heads that were moved, Burnside said.

Additionally, Burnside said due to the current permit structure businesses can build and modify the building without the fire department being aware of the changes. The new permit fee schedule would create multiple types of permits that would ensure the fire department sees the plans before installation, inspects the actual installation and confirms it meets fire code before its put to service.

New Braunfels-based restaurant Muck & Fuss is planning to open a second location.

Muck & Fuss restaurateurs will be opening a second restaurant at 2422 N. Loop 1604 W. in San Antonio—just north of Shavano Park, according to a news release.

The details: The restaurant is owned by Terry and Celina Muckenfuss. The new location will be 8,812-square-feet and cost approximately $4.5 million. Construction is expected to be completed Sept. 15. and the restaurant is slated to open in the fall, according to the release.

On the menu: Muck & Fuss serves a selection of gourmet burgers along with craft beers. The restaurant also has truffle fries, milkshakes and more. 

• 2422 N. Loop 1604 W., San Antonio

• EōS Fitness coming soon to Live Oak Town Center
• Check out 8 major San Antonio-area permits filed this week
• 155-acre housing development in the works near The Guadalupe River
• More homes and 2nd amenity center on tap for Veramendi development in New Braunfels
• Locally-owned bookstore and tea room opens in Northeast San Antonio

On March 31, Texas’ roughly 9,000 licensed consumable hemp retailers will face sweeping regulations, including a more than 3,000% increase in annual licensing fees and a ban on most smokable cannabis products.

The overview: The new rules, which also include age verification requirements, stricter packaging guidelines and more rounds of product testing, were originally proposed in December. The Texas Department of State Health Services, which regulates the state’s hemp industry, adopted the rules March 2.

The debate: Supporters of the increased regulations previously said they hoped the changes would result in more comprehensive oversight of Texas’ hemp industry and improve consumer safety. 

Some experts said they were concerned the new rules were taking effect too quickly and could lead some hemp businesses to close their doors.

"It is really tragic that these entrepreneurs are being faced with this, especially in a state like Texas that touts being pro-business ... and here we are shutting down businesses and relegating consumers to an illicit market," said Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center.