Thursday, July 28, 2022 by Chad Swiatecki
Nearly 32 years after declaring itself the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin is finally getting closer to defining what, exactly, the live music scene is.
A resolution on the agenda for today’s city council meeting seeks to amend the city code and part of the Land Development Code to include specific measures that would distinguish a live music venue – where music is a substantial part of among business programs and income – from a bar, cocktail lounge or nightclub, which are already clearly defined in the city code.
The amendment has been a goal of live music stakeholders for at least five years and was one of the many issues included in the discussion about the CodeNEXT reform that was thrown out in 2018.
Adding guidelines to the city code would allow the city to define music venues as a desired use or potential community benefit similar to affordable housing, with possible incentives for developers who add the use in new projects. of the entire city. That incentive is seen as one of the best possible tactics to prevent music venues from being displaced as property values and redevelopment pressures rise in response to a steady influx of residents and new businesses to the area.
The solution defines the terms that may be available for business to be defined in the music scene: charging a fee or admission price to the audience, with a defined payment structure for performers; having a defined performance and audience position; Having permanent equipment for musical performance including sound board, audio system and stage lighting; designated working hours for performance periods; Live music scheduled at least five nights a week; meeting outdoor specifications for amplified sound performance as defined in sections of the city code relating to noise and amplified sound regulations, while maintaining a valid outdoor music venue permit.
During the CodeNEXT debate, live music advocates created seven requirements for the live music scene, some of which differed from the resolution’s language. These include: The business must have a back-end device; must employ at least two staff members dedicated to duties such as sound engineering, booking, promotion, stage management and security; and must market its music programs in print or digital formats.
City staff will also be directed to investigate potential regulatory incentives for new and existing music venues. These may include fee waivers, modified parking requirements, eased expansion of limited covenants for affordable commercial spaces in new construction, and prioritizing music venues or creative spaces for social benefit awards. density or other overlays.
The city manager is instructed to submit the bylaw to the council for consideration even if the incentives are still in development.
Mayor Steve Adler said music advocates have long seen the need to open music venues, while also trying to separate those bar and nightclub businesses from neighborhood and community groups in the process. planning.
“The city wants to protect and preserve and make sure we still have those places in our city that are the Live Music Capital of the World, and that’s getting harder and harder to do,” he said. “There are suggestions on how we can encourage users in the same way that we encourage affordable housing and other things that are wanted in the city.”
The decision comes as the city has already given approval for high-rise buildings in part of the Sixth Street entertainment district, with developer Stream Realty Partners saying regularly that music venues are expected to occupy some of the 30- and sites that the company has recently acquired. years.
Council member Ann Kitchen requested that the resolution be amended to include definitions of creative spaces such as theaters, galleries and studios, but Adler said the language will take time to develop. Both agreed to return the matter to a separate but similar decision in the future.
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