Comments on: Bastard Sons Of Johnny Cash Rally Support For Mean Eyed Cat

By: BeatrixKiddo

BeatrixKiddo — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:38:05 +0000

I’m not sure but all those cases are decided case-by-case on the merits. It’s not like just because the Mean-Eyed Cat gets zoned the area automatically becomes bar district zoning or something. If I was them I would have supported it and said we will accept bars but only south of 5th, or at least xxx ft. from a single-family home. That way at least for once they would be FOR something, and it would give them more credibility when they’re against something really bad.

By: Brody Vercher

Brody Vercher — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 20:18:45 +0000

I guess that was bad wording on my part since nothing really changed except the zoning label; and just to note I don’t think the Mean Eyed Cat will negatively impact anyone nor do I think it was before, but will the zoning change set a precedent for other bars to move into the area as concerns from OWANA suggested?

By: BeatrixKiddo

BeatrixKiddo — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:53:47 +0000

Brody,
I don’t understand. Even the neighborhood rep said that they had no problems with the Mean-Eyed. It’s been there nearly three years and hasn’t negatively impacted anyone, why do you suggest it will now?

BTW, Dave Sullivan on the Planning Comm. does live in Old West Austin.

By: Brody Vercher

Brody Vercher — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:03:02 +0000

Beatrix – I don’t think anyone mistook the area as being zoned residential, but you do make a good point about democracy coming to play here…however, it would be interesting to see how many people on the Planning Commission and City Council this decision will directly affect.

By: BeatrixKiddo

BeatrixKiddo — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 22:01:55 +0000

Hey folks, the Mean-Eyed Cat wasn’t zoned residential, it was zoned industrial, and it ain’t anywhere near the homes in the neighborhood assocaition that opposed it (and btw far more residents in the neighborhood actually and actively supported it). Chris tried to make it as a restaurant, couldn’t do it and so he applied for a zoning change. What in the heck is wrong with that? He got unanimous votes at Planning Commission and City Council so now he’s properly zoned. It’s called DEMOCRACY.

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:28:03 +0000

Go Brody!!!

By: Brody Vercher

Brody Vercher — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:55:43 +0000

I see all the points you’re making and agree with them to an extent, but I don’t think the situation is as black and white as you try to make it sound. I’ve only been to the Mean Eyed Cat one time, but it was far from rowdy. Neighbors approve of the bar and they like the way it stands now, they just don’t want to set a precedent for bringing more bars into the area.

It’s also not fair to say he had no intentions to adhere to zoning laws since he brought in outside food for the sole purpose of attempting to meet the requirements. The Mean Eyed Cat isn’t exactly in anyone’s backyard since no one in the area really has a yard of any kind. It sits across a busy street by itself, almost on top of a rail road track that is noisier than the music itself; with condo construction taking place on blocks all down the street.

I don’t have any attachment to the bar, I just think it would be sad to see a small, independent business disappear in place of a soulless high-rise condo.

By: Matt C.

Matt C. — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:34:46 +0000

The thing is, you only have the right to make your dreams come true insofar as you do not trample on the rights of others. Areas are zoned residential precisely to keep things like rowdy bars and honkytonks away from neighborhoods or high rises where people pay to live. I don’t know what was so magic about this location, but it’s clear from the owner’s actions that he had no intention of adhering to the zoning laws from the day the place opened. It’s tought to put the kabosh on a nice music joint, but if anything the government has a duty here to ensure that Mean Eyed Cat is not allowed to circumvent the zoning laws. If you want to stand up for the little man, stand up for the property owners who now have to deal with a bar in their backyard because one guy didn’t feel like playing by the rules.

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 13:27:24 +0000

I agree with you Brody, that was a nice venue. The inside bar was awesome also. Its places like that that make Austin what is it.

By: Brody Vercher

Brody Vercher — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:52:06 +0000

Shortsighted maybe, but I think he saw an opportunity to fulfill his dream in an abandoned chainsaw repair shop that was slated for demolition and you can’t fault a guy for acting out his dreams.

Also, I don’t think the building is indispensable to the Austin music scene, but Austin prides itself on this culture of “Keep Austin Weird” and helping out the little man, the small unique places that you can’t find most other places. All around the neighborhood condo high rises are sprouting up. Without places like Mean Eyed Cat then Austin is just another industrial big city with no identity, it’ll start losing it’s culture one small business at a time. It’s the exact type of situation sang about by Alan Jackson in “Little Man”.