San Marcos community fights for coffee shop to keep live music venue

By Carolena Estrada

Blog Content Contributor 

yda23@txstate.edu

In a recent renewal of Tantra’s Conditional Use Permit, the local planning and zoning commission issued a lower maximum noise level limit to 60 decibels– a change that could have significantly impacted Tantra’s live music events.

The limit was reversed after the owner of Tantra, Jeffrey Colasurd, reached out to the community for support and stressed that 60 decibels is equivalent to the sound of a normal conversation.

If the noise restriction was unopposed, it would have limited the establishment’s ability to operate at it’s usual volume, threatening its ability to provide a space for live music to thrive.

The proposed noise regulation sparked a strong response from the community. On Nov. 19, regular patrons and supporters of Tantra gathered at a city council meeting voicing their concerns.

Many individuals spoke passionately about why the 60-decibel limit would severely impact the business, arguing that the change could harm the cultural vibrance of the area.

San Marcos resident and local photographer, Christopher Cardoza, describes the essence of Tantra and the vibrant atmosphere it holds.

“It’s that safe place, that place where you can go and just relax and have a conversation and enjoy music,” said Cardoza. “It’s kind of a microcosm of what the spirit of San Marcos is, an all-inclusive, loving community.”

Tantra and it’s loving patrons appealed the Conditional Use Permit that the planning and zoning commission approved. This hearing brought the community of San Marcos together, and many spoke and wrote emails.

Ultimately, the city’s decision was made in Tantra’s favor, allowing the love for music and community to continue.

Former planning and zoning committee member, Maxfield Baker, expresses how moving it was to witness the community come together to fight for such an important business.

“It was really exciting to receive messages from people saying we’re making protest signs or I’m emailing an official, ” said Baker. “We all felt empowered to show up to the meeting and share with our elected ones.”