Allen's Boots Under City of Austin's Gun

News8Austin: Boot store faces neighborhood opposition to expansion

Allen's Boots has been in the same building on South Congress for almost 30 years. The larger than life Justin® boot is a landmark to many.

Now, owner Jim Bennett wants to expand. An extension to the back of the building would provide needed storage space, but there's one problem.

Austin's Board of Adjustment said the store will also have to add 10 more parking spots to be in compliance with city regulations. Any time a business expands square footage, it must also add addition parking.

Yet another stupid Austin regulation. Who is in the best position to determine how many parking spaces a business needs? The business owner. Who has the right to determine how many parking spaces to build? The business owner.

"It's not going to create additional floor space, which is not going to create additional sales, which is not going to create additional parking demand," Bennett said.

No new business means no new traffic. So, Allen's requested a variance to keep the 12 spots it currently has, but the board rejected it.

A lot of people spend a great deal of their time focusing on the federal and state governments and their ugly intrusions on our freedom, but there is a nontrivial amount of damage is done on the margin at the local level that doesn't get enough attention.

The Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association (BCNA) supports the board's decision. Members say they worry about potential redevelopment at the site if the store closes.

"The variance in zoning doesn't go with Allen's; it goes with the building,” Cory Walton of BCNA said.

This doesn't make any sense. Why support the decision when it makes it harder to do business and therefore more likely the business will close?

South Congress is an in demand area these days, and parking often overflows into neighborhoods.

Bouldin Creek residents say it's time businesses take responsibility.

How is a business responsible for what it's customers do? How?

When you live in an area like South Congress, you fucking damn well better know you're going to get - along with a cool location and unique atmosphere - growth problems. If you don't like it, don't bitch and moan and force businesses to comply with your demands. Reach an agreement voluntarily with the businesses, shut up and endure it, or move.

“With the storage space he wants, he's got other options. He can put it in rental storage space like the rest of residents do when our houses are too small. He could build a second story on top of his building," Walton said.

Allen's has requested the board reconsider its decision. Walton hopes it won't.

"Allen's has options, the neighborhood doesn't," he said.

The Board of Adjustment will decide whether to reconsider Allen's variance request on Sept. 23.

Copyright ©2004TWEAN News Channel of Austin, L.P. d.b.a. News 8 Austin

Mr. Walton, someday you'll come to the understanding you don't have the right to push people around. Hopefully, that day will come soon.

Posted by Drizzten at August 30, 2004 09:38 AM