Smokin' Mad

Big names in Austin barbecue face backlash over new wedding venue

Neighbors of the new venue say they are worried about increased traffic and a demand on resources.

KVUE News — In the wedding capital of Texas, a battle is brewing between a neighborhood and a new wedding venue proposed by one of the biggest names in Texas barbecue.

Roughly 500 people live on Crystal Hills Drive, a two-lane county road off 1826 in Hays County. Now, they’re getting a new neighbor. Brothers Michael and Mark Black from Terry Black’s BBQ in Austin have purchased 64 acres off Crystal Hills Drive to build a new wedding venue.

The business, tentatively called “Black Ranch,” will host two wedding venues with two different themes, each sitting up to 300 people for a combined total of up to 600 people.

"We plan on making that 64 acres the most beautiful ranch in Texas,” said Mark Black.

But nearby homeowners are worried the increase in traffic will be too much for their rural road. The county approved the permit without widening the road.

"Traffic is going to be one of the biggest issues we're going to be facing here,” said UT professor Carlos Torres-Verdin. Torres-Verdin is president of the Friendship Alliance.

Some of the other concerns include music noise and bright lights. Mark Black tells KVUE they plan on most music occurring indoors and under 85 decibels. He also says they will primarily use ambient lighting.

However, neighbors feel the brothers haven’t listened to their concerns. "We'd like them to work with us but so far they've refused to talk to us,” said one homeowner.

"We think that this wedding venue could be a win-win situation for both of us if we just talk,” Torres-Verdin emphasized.

Black says they did meet with neighbors and addressed some of their concerns, such as the water supply.

"Their issues are completely valid, but I'll say what I say to my family who lives just around the corner from here: We bought 64 acres. Less than 6.5 of that will be developed,” said Black.

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To read the full story and see the video, head to KVUE.

hill-country weddings

WFH life

Austin plugs in as 2nd cheapest large U.S. city for remote workers

Photo by Lewis Guapo on Unsplash

Working remotely in Austin is far more affordable than many other U.S. cities.

Austin's thriving telework industry is already known for being among the most prominent in the country, and as it turns out, it's one of the most affordable, too. A recent study by online retailer The Perfect Rug has revealed Austin is the No. 2 cheapest U.S. city center for remote work.

The report ranked the top 10 largest U.S. cities based on population data, the number of coworking spaces and cafes per capita, statewide average internet speeds, average apartment rent prices, and more.

Austin falls second to the far west Texas city of El Paso (No. 1), and is followed by Houston in the No. 3 spot.

When it comes to finding the best place to work remotely, Austin has an abundance of options including coffee shops, coworking spaces, and local library branches. According to the report's data, there are about six coworking spaces and 26 cafes per capita in the city, but Austinites know best that there is a much wider variety of places to work from "home" than whatever number a study determines.

The average internet speed in Texas is 425.9 mbps (megabits per second), which is the fourth-highest internet speed out of the six total states (and the District of Columbia) mentioned in the study. Pennsylvania, Washington, and Washington, D.C. all have faster average internet speeds, at 430.8, 451, and 473.8 mpbs, respectively.

The Perfect Rug also calculated the average costs for meals, coffee, and monthly rent in Austin:

$1,467 per month – Average apartment rent cost in central Austin
$21 per hour – Average cost for a desk at a coworking space
$16.99 – Average cost for a meal
$5.36 – Average cost for a coffee

Furthermore, Austin-based remote workers are technically saving on fuel costs compared to those who have to commute into the city daily for their jobs.

A spokesperson for The Perfect Rug said Texas cities like El Paso, Austin, and Houston are far more popular for "budget-conscious" remote workers partially because rent costs are far lower in comparison to many other U.S. cities.

"On the other hand, cities like Washington, D.C., and Seattle, while more expensive, compensate with faster internet speeds and a higher density of workspaces, which can enhance the remote work experience," the spokesperson said. "Finding the right balance between cost and amenities is key for remote workers seeking both productivity and affordability."

Elsewhere in Texas, San Antonio ranked as the fifth most affordable city for teleworkers, followed by Dallas (No. 7).

The top 10 cheapest U.S. cities for remote workers are:

No. 1 – El Paso, Texas
No. 2 – Austin, Texas
No. 3 – Houston, Texas
No. 4 – Seattle, Washington
No. 5 – San Antonio, Texas
No. 6 – Washington, D.C.
No. 7 – Dallas, Texas
No. 8 – Denver, Colorado
No. 9 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
No. 10 – Nashville, Tennessee

austin reports rankings remote work