By Moses Leos III
Tavern on Main owner Julie Renfro is no stranger when it comes to live music. Her bustling Buda bar has showcased live bands each week for the past two years.
However, when Buda revised its noise ordinance in December, Renfro had to make changes to abide by the rules — rules she feels should be amended to revitalize the downtown scene.
“This [ordinance] as it’s written is too restrictive,” Renfro said. “We can’t have a downtown that is limited to a residential standard.”
Renfro’s changes began when Buda reset its noise ordinance standards — measures fueled by noise complaints from homeowners who live adjacent to downtown businesses.
Originally, the Buda Planning and Zoning Commission sought to change the definition of night, along with drastically lowering the noise level. Buda’s previous noise level limit was 80 decibels (dB).
The city council amended the P&Z’s decision, making slight changes.
However, business owners like Renfro have scrambled to meet that standard.
To do so, Renfro had to make “careful and deliberate” adjustments to her live music setup. The initial set up created noise issues in the adjacent neighborhoods.
“We didn’t anticipate sound bouncing off city hall and into the neighborhood,” she said. “We lowered the speakers, turned the speakers at different angles, and tested them to make sure it’s as consistent as it can be.”
The result has been a “booming” live music scene that’s strayed away from any noise complaints.
According to Renfro, the moves haven’t taken away from her business.
“We’ve worked within the structure we were given,” she said.
James Rios, owner of Cleveland’s, hasn’t had similar luck.
At issue is a patio Rios wants to use for outdoor music and events.
While he didn’t have trouble initially, a recent karaoke event drew a few complaints from neighbors.
“I don’t know where the [complaints] came from,” he said. “It made everyone feel uncomfortable, like you couldn’t have a good time.”
Since then, Rios was forced to move all of his events inside Cleveland’s. It’s forced him to turn away two rehearsal dinners, both of which wanted outdoor music.
According to Rios, the two events roughly totaled $3,100.
Due to those struggles, Rios now must retrofit his patio to meet city ordinance. It includes a $20,000 to $25,000 upgrade.
For Rios, issues in Buda are a far cry from what he’s experienced at his other restaurant, Centerfield Bar and Grill in Kyle.
With Kyle’s noise limit at 85 dB, Rios says that it’s “realistic.” He also said he has received no complaints from his neighbors.
“It only gets loud when the door opens, it’s never overbearing,” Rios said. “[85 dB] is a realistic expectation in what (one) would call an entertainment district.”
Changing the ordinance is now the goal for both Rios and Renfro.
Rios said the ordinance was “forced” on business owners. He believed any public comments against the measure “fell by the wayside.”
While he supports manageable growth in Buda, he says keeping the current noise ordinance isn’t supportive to business.
“It’s difficult to continue to bring artists or people to do new things for customers,” Rios said. “The minute you try, you get backlash from the city, or homeowners around the area don’t like it. It’s tough. I hope they reconsider.”
Discussions on the matter could be on the horizon. Renfro, who is on the Downtown Master Plan Committee, said it could come up as a topic as the committee wraps up the downtown master plan.
“I’m waiting for the subject to come up. It’s due,” Renfro said. “[The committee is] a diverse but reasonably cooperative group. I suspect this [subject] could be touchy.”
While she will continue to abide by the rules, she also feels it’s an unreasonable measure that’s hamstrung downtown businesses.
Getting downtown Buda back to its glory days is her goal.
“It was lively. People came and went. There was nightlife,” Renfro said. “I want that back. I want Buda to have that.”
