Austin outdoor music could be on hold

AUSTIN (KXAN) - In the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin City Council members are reviewing a proposal to stop issuing live outdoor music permits in town. An ordinance on Thursday's agenda would mandate the city take a "temporary time out" from issuing permits, because of confusion regarding the permitting process. The city has recently received an increase in complaints about outdoor music from neighborhood groups as a part of the Live Music Task Force process. The temporary moratorium on permits would run from Thursday, Jan. 15, if the council approves, to Feb. 27, 2009.

The City of Austin is considering a ban on outdoor music permits so it can figure out an ordinance that deals with noise levels, and hours of operations for live music venues. The resolution does allow for outdoor permits to be issued if the permit would expire before March 24, 2009, which is the last day of the South by Southwest Music Festival .

"Everybody that has a permit right now, they're going to continue to be valid," said Austin City Council Member Laura Morrison. "Anybody that needs to renew their permit between now and South by Southwest can come on in and get their permit renewed just as if it were yesterday."

Council Members Mike Martinez, Laura Morrison, and Randi Shade are co-sponsoring the resolution. The City Council is expected to make a decision on a new live music ordinance by the end of February.