The Zoning and Platting Commission recommended approval of a zoning change last Tuesday that would allow Austin FC to charge admission to games for its minor league affiliate, Austin FC II.
The request would change the zoning at St. David’s Performance Center, where Austin FC II will play when it debuts in the MLS NEXT Pro league this year. While the current zoning allows outdoor sports and recreation as a permitted use, it does not allow outdoor entertainment, a category that includes games charging admission.
“(The zoning change) is because we have a difference of opinion between some folks – is this indoor or outdoor entertainment, or outdoor sports and rec,” explained Richard Suttle, who is shepherding the zoning request through City Hall. “We don’t want to quarrel about it. We just want to change the zoning and get into compliance.”
Discussion at ZAP centered around how soccer games might impact neighbors. Though no neighbors spoke against the zoning request, and Suttle said none had registered complaints with him, some commissioners nonetheless expressed concern over noise from the stadium bothering neighbors.
Commissioner Jolene Kiolbassa suggested limiting hours of noise. Suttle did not agree to the request, explaining that game times are governed by Major League Soccer, but he assured that games are played during reasonable hours and a predictable block of time. “The wonderful thing about soccer is it starts at a certain time and it ends at a certain time,” he said.
Kiolbassa was also concerned about the potential for concerts at the stadium. Suttle said those would need a sound permit.
After commissioners aired further concerns about noise, Suttle emphasized the lack of concern from people who live nearby.
“I just don’t know what to tell you. There’s hundreds and hundreds of people that live over there …. I would have anticipated having a whole crowd of people here tonight if they really were worried about this,” Suttle said.
The commission then voted unanimously to recommend City Council approve the zoning change.
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City of Austin Zoning and Platting Commission: The City of Austin's Zoning and Platting Commission addresses issues of land use as assigned to it by Austin's City Code. It has sovereign authority, or the right to make final decisions on certain cases.
