Just as the dust settles from White Oak Music Hall's battle against the city over its outdoor stage, a fresh lawsuit from nearby residents has been filed against the music venue that's proving to be a legal lightning rod.
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The residents argue that excessive noise from concerts and large crowds violates their property rights. The lawsuit claims property values have been negatively impacted by the venue and residents can no longer have "uninterrupted sleep, partake in indoor activities without the invasion of inordinately loud and disruptive noise, or enjoy their home environment without the windows and walls shaking." The lawsuit seeks a temporary injunction, temporary restraining order and permanent injunction. A hearing will be held today.
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In an official statement given to the Houston Chronicle, WOMH says the charges are undue and unfounded, adding that the stage is fully permitted by the city. It says it signed a memorandum of understanding for dispute resolution with local residents when unveiling the project in 2013. It also claims multiple attempts to reach out to residents have been ignored and insists the venue has worked to support and showcase the local community.
But residents in the historically working class, Hispanic community near the venue say they're struggling. One mother whose son has autism is particularly concerned. "He's been under our coffee table hiding, he's been in his closet, sometimes he's aggressive at school because he didn't get a good night's sleep the night before," Theresa Calvin told Houston Public Media.
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White Oak Music Hall is used to being in hot water. The venue opened earlier this year with a temporary outdoor stage, drawing several citations from the Houston police department and eventually the mayor's ire. Eventually permits were issued for the permanent stage W2 Development Partners is building along the banks of White Oak Bayou. It's now up to the court to decide if the venture continues.
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