By Moses Leos III.
While the Buda city council contemplates a reduced noise ordinance level, business owners wonder how it will affect them.
One felt it would hinder the downtown scene entirely.
James Rios, owner of Cleveland’s, was unhappy with the proposed reduction.
The amended limit would make Buda have one of the most stringent noise ordinances in the area. Only Georgetown, the model for Buda’s threshold, has an ordinance lower than 70 decibels (dB). Kyle’s commercial noise threshold is 80 dB.
Mark Erickson, director of recording arts at Texas State, says the decibel level decrease is “substantial.” He added that it was set at a conservative level, and not conducive for live music.
“A rowdy crowd of people cheering after a touchdown would be louder,” Erickson said.
Rios says the ordinance would limit downtown growth.
“[The ordinance is] a joke. It will stop people from coming in [to downtown Buda],” Rios said. “Businesses that have outdoor patios will not be able to do anything. I cannot believe it passed the [Economic Development Corporation].”
Mayor Todd Ruge understood those concerns, but sided with residents.
He believes the change would help local businesses, saying the ordinance could force businesses to book live music acts before 9 p.m., attracting an earlier crowd.
Rios disagreed, saying the dinner and live music crowds could not coincide. He also questioned the city’s ability to handle train noise, but inability to handle the live music scene.
Ultimately, Rios said sales tax revenue would be lost. In addition, he believes the 20- to 40-year-old crowd – which he says is the core demographic of Buda – would be alienated away from the city.
“This ordinance will push people away from Buda into Austin,” Rios said. “This is not good [for Buda].”
