Travis County Commissioners Court considered potential changes to the way residents and businesses can apply to hold major events during its July 7 meeting.

The commissioners unanimously voted to designate the county's Fire Marshal as the single point of contact for the mass gatherings permit application process. The court did not vote on other proposed changes, including establishing a comprehensive form that an applicant would be required to submit to the county 45 days before holding a mass gathering event. This application would require that amplified sound is prohibited at certain times and sound must not exceed a certain volume.

Some residents voiced concerns about safety and said they support the proposed mass gathering permit changes. However, promoters and developers said they want to work with the county to figure out other solutions besides the proposed revisions.

The court is tentatively scheduled to vote on the remaining proposed changes Aug. 11.

Support and opposition

During a March public hearing held prior to 3-day camping and music festival Euphoria, residents raised concerns about noise and other issues related to the large crowds the event could draw, according to county documents. Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt requested a review of the mass gathering permit application process as well as its requirements regarding permit timelines.

During the July 7 meeting, those opposed to the revisions cited their support for the music industry in the Austin area.

Scott Davidson with Code 4 Events Management said his company received 4 of the 5 mass gathering permits approved by the county this year. He said the company hosts events at Carson Creek Ranch, 9507 Sherman Road, Austin.

None of the 254 Texas counties have implemented similar restrictions limiting sound amplification, Davidson said.

“I ask that you … not be the first [county] in the state of Texas to impose restrictions on this industry as we are in the live music capital of the world,” he said. “I think most of us live here and we would like to keep producing events here rather than traveling elsewhere.”

Davidson invited Precinct 2 Commissioner Brigid Shea and the rest of the court to take a tour of the Carson Creek Ranch property to hear audio tests.

Frank Davis, a farmer who has owned property at Fall Creek Road and Hwy. 71 since 2004, said he wants to establish a venue on his land that would serve as a center for community events, local festivals and concerts that could draw as many as 4,000 people.

Spicewood residents said they have concerns about the safety, traffic and environment surrounding the proposed Fall Creek Road music venue.

Cindy Meek, a landowner in the Spicewood area, told the court she is in favor of the proposed Mass Gatherings Act revisions.

“We would like you to consider actually even strengthening those revisions that you are proposing to lower the number of people in the mass gatherings,” she said.

Travis County resident Sharon Lewis-Avelis said her father died when he and her son were in a car collision on Hwy. 71. She said the road is unsafe and bringing large crowds to the area will result in more traffic.

“I work in Bee Cave five days a week," Lewis-Avelis said. "Every day I start tapping my brake lights about a fourth of a mile down the road, hoping that nobody runs into me.”

A few residents said they had concerns the venue could bring intoxicated drivers to the area.

“There would never be an event at our facility without Travis County sheriffs there directing traffic,” Davis said.

Jennifer Houlihan, executive director of Austin Music People, said residents’ concerns about traffic, security and sound could be handled “in a private conversation” rather than as part of Commissioners Court proceedings, adding that too much regulation can have unintended consequences.

Austin Music People is an alliance that advocates for the development of Austin's live music industry.

Eckhardt said the court will discuss the proposed revisions in mid-August.

“We are not looking to unduly hamper anyone’s property rights, but that means finding some balance between competing property rights,” she said.