At the Johnson County Commissioners Court public-participation period on April 14, two residents from the FM 157 corridor urged county officials to take action after recurring large parties at a private event venue they described as a “rodeo” that has increasingly behaved like a large concert or party.

Al Betzel and Sheila Betzel told the court the venue at 6100 North FM 157 generates frequent crowds, loud bass that “vibrates our houses,” heavy traffic that once blocked both north- and southbound lanes for as much as three-quarters of a mile and repeated public-safety incidents that have required law-enforcement intervention.

“Three weeks ago, northbound and southbound 157 was dead stopped for about three quarters to one mile,” Al Betzel told the court, saying the venue charged $60 per person on a recent Saturday and that attendees urinated on private property, left beer and bottles in ditches and in at least some instances assaulted deputies. He said residents had recorded gunfire after events and reported frequent assaults on officers and property trespass.

Sheila Betzel said deputies made more than 10 arrests during a recent Saturday night and again at an earlier weekend; she said deputies eventually dispersed crowds around midnight and secured the road. “We are in fear of these people as we don't know what they are capable of as far as guns, etc.,” she said.

County staff and the sheriff’s office representatives who spoke afterward said deputies have increased patrols and at times have ordered volume reductions when readings exceeded statutory limits. Staff noted that state-level permitted decibel standards are measured from residents’ property lines and that the state multi-gathering permitting process and current statute have limited county-level authority.

Court response and next steps

Commissioners discussed whether the court could draft language for state legislators and whether earlier efforts to reduce post-10 p.m. decibel levels might be resubmitted. A county official suggested the commissioners could coordinate with Representative Kirwan’s office to see whether language could be submitted for legislative consideration.

No ordinance or formal county action was adopted during the meeting. Commissioners asked sheriff’s staff to continue patrols and asked county staff to research whether additional local or statutory remedies exist and whether language could be drafted for submission to state lawmakers.

Clarifying details

- Address of venue cited by speakers: 6100 North FM 157.
- Complaints included loud bass that vibrates homes, multiple bands per night (up to four), traffic queues extending up to three-quarters of a mile, and arrests for public intoxication and assaults.
- Speakers said the venue operates as a BYOB event and reported occurrences of underage attendees.

Quotes

“We just wish there was something y’all could do,” Al Betzel said, asking the court to examine options to reduce decibel levels after 10 p.m. “We’re a little scared of the people that either own it or are running it.”

Ending

County staff said they will follow up with the sheriff’s office and legal staff to determine local and state options and, if appropriate, work with state legislative offices on draft language. No formal action was taken at the meeting.