BOBCATFANS | SMTX | FEBRUARY 2013 | TIDBITS
VOLUME CONTROL The ongoing battle between Zelick’s Icehouse and Crystal River Inn has finally come to an end, for now. This past December, the Planning & Zoning Commission reached the agreement to grant Zelick’s a three-year Conditional Use Permit (CUP). This type of permit is granted to a business to make use of their property in a manner allowed under current zoning regulations, but Zelick’s CUP comes with certain volume conditions. The noise level must be constantly monitored and stereo music must be shut down by 2 am. Any equipment used cannot exceed 75 decibels for longer than one minute between 11 pm and 3 am,
which will be measured from the Crystal River Inn property line. To clarify, 75 dB is just louder than a vacuum cleaner or the sound of a car going 65 mph on the highway. Motorcycle parking has restrictions between certain hours and the portion of outdoor games located along the shared property line must stop at midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Lastly, no live outdoor music can be played after 11 pm. These restrictions are not outrageous, but only time will tell if they can be consistently met. But for now, Zelick’s Icehouse and Crystal River Inn have come to a compromise to remain good neighbors for the next three years.
UPDATE FROM THE DARKSIDE Since Silas Parker of Darkside Fermentation parted from the Root Cellar Café in February of 2012, many in San Marcos have been wondering, what has Darkside been up to?
importantly, though, says Parker, “the goal is a zero or low impact operation that replenishes the ecosystem and sustains itself in every possible way.”
Over the past year, Parker purchased land on Limekiln Road on the outskirts of San Marcos. The plan is to build a brewery is not moving a quickly as it’s fans had hoped.
For now, Darkside Fermentation has been making beer for weddings and small parties while construction is being planned. So far, an edible orchard of fruit trees is on site with a small farm for livestock and crops to be implemented in the future. Parker’s goal is to go off the grid and get the ball rolling for next year’s completion. Until then, San Martians will remain thirsty with anticipation!
The proposed 20-foot by 40-foot brewery itself has not yet begun building as Parker is searching for help to begin the construction process. Plans suggest the brewery will contain a music room for monthly galas with live music when a new beer is released. Most
8 BOBCATFANS | SMTX | 02.13
| By Morgan Kemper |