County puts off ruling on gathering permits

Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court put off taking action on Mass Gathering permits, specifically action involving permit review and standards for orderly conduct. The court will take it up at a later meeting. Mass Gathering permits are commonly issued in areas where there are no zoning regulations. The permits became an issue after residents around Carson Creek Ranch, a farm-turned-venue near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, complained about the noise and security during the venue’s recent festivals. At the court’s April 14 meeting, Brent Johnson, an organic farmer adjacent to the ranch, said the venue’s recent Euphoria Fest resulted in noise until 4 a.m. as well as several cars parked on his private property. Johnson said he received little help from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office regarding his issues. TCSO had several officers contracted for event security. Commissioners said they were under the impression that Euphoria Fest stopped at 2 a.m. on Saturday, but Scott Davison, representing SFX LLC, the event promoter, said his permits stipulated 4 a.m. on certain stages. The venue is set to host Levitation Festival and Life in Color, among other events, in the upcoming weeks.