City says White Oak venue must find permanent fix
Criticism heats up over temporary outdoor stage, developers’ ‘attitude’
Several City Council members raised concerns Wednesday about a controversial outdoor stage at the new White Oak Music Hall and the “attitude” of the project’s developers, and Mayor Sylvester Turner said unequivocally that no new temporary permit would be issued to allow it to operate in its current form.
It was the city’s most definitive assertion to date that no outdoor concerts can be held at the Near Northside complex after the existing permit expires on Oct. 5 unless W2 Development Partners secures a permanent permit for a stage.
Turner directly addressed a Houston Chronicle article that quoted W2’s Will Garwood as saying he intended to take down and re-erect the temporary stage, then request another temporary permit for the structure.
“That’s not happening,” Turner said. “They need to work on a permanent permit, and I expect them to take the steps to do that.”
Garwood emailed
afterward to “clarify that any modification to the outdoor stage would not circumvent city oversight but, rather, serve as a request for a fresh assessment of its eligibility for a temporary structure permit.”
“We are working with the city of Houston (Department of Public Works & Engineering) to not only assure we are compliant, but to also provide long-term best-in-class facilities on the Lawn that meet the expectations of city planners and engineers, touring musicians, our concertgoers, and the neighborhood.” House vibrates during show
Some of the neighbors who began expressing concerns about noise and parking before the first outdoor concert was held there in April took their case back to the council on Wednesday. Mollie Oshman, who lives a mile away, said her house vibrates during shows.
“We are not unreasonable people. We are not anti-development or anti-music,” Oshman told the council. “The outdoor nature of these venues is problematic. We ask you to enforce the minimum standards to protect us.”
The immediate issue is permitting for the stage itself.
The developers previously told the Chronicle that they have “eventual plans” to build a permanent stage but planned to operate the temporary stage in the meantime. Five shows, headlined by acts such as Pet Shop Boys and Morrisey, are lined up in late October and November despite the expiring temporary permit.
Developers submitted plans last week for a permanent permit for the outdoor stage, dubbed The Lawn. Plans for such a structure were rejected five times previously for various problems including ingress/ egress issues and sanitation facilities, city records show.
Oshman also cited the Chronicle article and called the developers’ plan evidence that they are “on every level trying” to circumvent the regulatory process. Calls for police service
Councilman Mike Knox said “the attitude of the business that is operating in that neighborhood” should be taken into consideration in future dealings.
Councilwoman Karla Cisneros, who represents the area, said her goal is to help foster a respectful relationship between the developers and the neighbors.
“Houston is growing and changing,” Cisneros said. “We want to make sure that it works for everybody, including people who were there first.”
Councilman Mike Laster called the music hall “an impressive addition to the neighborhood” but “extremely large and overbearing” for that area.
“I can’t imagine how they could have music outside and you not hear it,” Laster said. “It continues to baffle me that in a city that is profoundly reasonable with business opportunities, it puzzles me why business operators choose particular operations. Anyone with half a wit of common sense would know this would cause a problem. … Maybe we should make them move in.”
Turner said the Houston Police Department responded to three calls for service during the last show and found the concert venue was not violating the sound ordinance. He also mentioned several times during the council session that the Super Neighborhood 51, which represents Near Northside, supports the White Oak Music Hall and has been in discussions with the developers for years.
Super Neighborhood 51 and the developers entered into an agreement several years ago, but one stipulation was respecting the sound. The group has recently been working with the developers to address the concerns of the nearby neighbors.
In media comments afterward, Turner said he wants both sides to work together to be good neighbors.
“It is in place and it’s now going to be a balancing of interests,” Turner said. “I want the White Oak Music Hall to operate within the parameters the city established.”