Quality of Life

As a part of protecting the Quality of Life of our neighborhood, we are opposed to the expansion of the Argyle Club. The Argyle has proposed adding “Argyle Hall” – a large event center on their existing parking lot. The event center would allow them to increase their capacity to serve 1,200-1,400 guests at each event. Increased capacity means more events, more people, more cars, more noise, more delivery vehicles. Increased capacity magnifies existing problems and creates a larger nuisance in the neighborhood.

Parking

Currently the Argyle’s on-site parking is woefully inadequate. Building a large Event Center on their current lot only exacerbates the problem. City of Alamo Heights zoning codes will require 400+ parking spaces for an event that hosts 1,200-1,400.  Argyle members/guests and the club’s valet services are currently parking along neighborhood streets, causing congestion, as well as safety concerns, for our many neighborhood walkers and cyclists. Their current solution to parking has been to acquire nearby houses and tear them down. Three residential lots have been converted to parking lots so far. Our association is adamantly opposed to the demolition of houses for parking lots. We are also opposed to residents being forced to use “passes” to park in front of their own homes.

Noise

The Argyle has claimed an event center will eliminate the neighborhood noise problem. Noise levels taken at recent events have been logged at dangerous levels. Bands and the PA systems can be heard well over a quarter of a mile away from the club.  In their proposal, the Argyle fails to mention that they have no plans to eliminate events with parties, PA systems, tents, etc., on the front lawn. (See their SPECIAL USE PERMIT submitted to the City of Alamo Heights with their Building Permit). Combined with the proposed increased capacity, the noise levels will not diminish but rather will increase in frequency. Our association believes that Residents are entitled to the peaceful use of their homes including porches and patios without the intrusion of noise from someone else’s party.

NPALH Resources

We are not the first group of neighbors who have had concerns about the Argyle. When the property was sold and the Argyle Club formed in 1955 as a “Private Dinner Club”, many neighbors were opposed. The zoning variance that the Southwest Foundation for Research (original name of Texas Biomed) negotiated with the City and neighbors in 1955 had 8 very specific resolutions/requirements. The Argyle (Texas Biomed’s tenant) has broken most of these repeatedly since that time. And while the City of Alamo Heights has granted additional special use permits to Texas Biomed and the Argyle, it has failed to enforce most of the resolutions.  

The entire ordinance with variance and resolutions:

• 1955 Variance and Resolutions
• 2022 Queen’s Ball Documentation
• Noise/Sound Map
• Argyle Proposed Special Use Permit
• Argyle Hall Event Center Business Plan