August 9, 2007
Regarding Chester's
Two news items coming out this afternoon relate to Chester's, the East Austin nightclub near where a fatal shooting occurred earlier this summer. First off, Sgt. Michael Olsen has been cleared of any possible charges related to the shooting; the grand jury decided that Olsen's killing of Kevin Brown was not criminal. Brown had been patronizing Chester's before being shot as he raced from police.
Secondly, and perhaps more damning to the club and other BYOB institutions in town, the city council unanimously passed the ordinance regulating BYOB businesses today. Businesses who are BYOB must now provide security, keep alcohol out of their parking lots, and close by 2:15am. This ordinance is most definitely a response to Chester's negative relationship with their neighborhood, but will certainly affect other local restaurants and clubs.
Photo by Merrick Brown on flickr
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I heard on KUT this morning that this ordinance specifically does not apply to restaurants. No idea what language is used to differentiate a club/bar from a restaurant, but at least there are some exceptions in there.
Well, that's something, at least. I hadn't heard about restaurants being left out of the ordinance.
http://kut.org/items/show/9445
At the very end of the sound clip, says restaurants not affected. I think I'll go to Maru to celebrate.
So does this only affect bars? What about a free party (like the multitude of fund-raisers that go on around town)?
Here is the ordinance:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/council_meetings/wams_item_attach.cfm?recordID=6219
Under § 4-11-2 (B) it does not apply to:
(1) a residence;
(2) an establishment operated by a governmental entity;
(3) a private club;
(4) a fraternal or veteran’s organization;
(5) a college and university use;
(6) a religious assembly use;
(7) a restaurant; or
(8) a theater use.
Who else is BYOB?
The Council admitted during the discussion this morning that it only applies to 2 clubs in Austin, Chester's and some other joint on Chicon.
I really enjoyed the chutzpah of the Chester's owner, asking the Council to pay for his relocation, a la Las Manitas. Sweet.
Wow. What a terrific city council we have. I feel more safe already.
I find it amusing that they openly admitted that the ordinance applies to only two places.
The joint on Chicon is probably "collateral damage" as the military says.