LifeAustin agrees to install sound barriers to control noise from church's amphitheater

WHAT WE REPORTED A yearslong debate was resolved in late December when LifeAustin Church and nearby neighborhood groups reached an agreement on how to mitigate sound from the church’s outdoor amphitheater.

The agreement hinges upon LifeAustin’s promise to install sound barriers east and west of the amphitheater’s structure and is subject to termination if the church and the neighborhood groups cannot agree on design and materials for the project. If all goes as planned, the Covered Bridge Property Owners Association and the Hill Country Estates Homeowners Association will drop their appeals and lawsuit against the city of Austin.

THE LATEST Construction of the sound reduction structures is expected to take about six months, according to a statement posted by Covered Bridge POA President Mike Kirk to the POA’s website in December.

“There is a small light at the end of the tunnel,” Kirk said.

The LifeAustin amphitheater has been the subject of controversy over the years due to amplified sound emitted during worship services. Since December 2015, the church has tried to settle on an agreement with leaders of the two neighborhood groups to address concerns voiced by neighbors.

“We are confident this agreement will be of benefit to all parties,” LifeAustin Church Business and Legacy Pastor John Capezzuti said in an email.

WHAT’S NEXT In light of the agreement, the city’s Board of Adjustment has agreed to postpone its hearing of neighbors’ appeals until August 2017.

This story is one update from The January Issue. View the full list of 10 things to look for in 2017 here.