- April 25, 2024
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Decibel levels were taken at the boundary lines
Another restaurant on the beachside has just received approval from the city to have outdoor music. Riptides Raw Bar and Grill, 869 S. Atlantic Ave., received a special exception at the May 6 City Commission meeting.
Last October, Dimitri's Bar Deck and Grill, 790 S. Atlantic Ave., received a special exception to have outdoor music, even though some nearby residents protested. The commission gave approval in a three to one vote, with one commissioner absent. The exception included a condition that if there were two noise violations in a 12-month period, the exception will be revoked.
Approval for Dimitri’s was recommended by the city planning department, which had conducted tests at the restaurant by reading decibel levels as music was played.
The Planning Department also conducted decibel readings at Riptides while music was being played.
“We did a noise assessment test,” Planning Director Richard Goss told the commissioners. “We took readings at the boundary lines. We had no issue with decibel levels for a two-person group.”
Prior to the City Commission meeting, the Planning Board unanimously recommended the restaurant for a special exception, with the following conditions: The exception will be revoked if there are two violations in a 12-month period (the restaurant will have hearing before a special magistrate before revocation); there can be no more than two live performers; no outside karaoke is allowed; and the speakers must face the building.
Music will be allowed from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. The approval document stated that the Planning Board desired to maintain consistency with the hours of allowed music that was approved for Dimitri’s.
“We want to make sure all the outdoor places have the same hours,” Goss said.
At the Planning Board meeting, a nearby resident spoke against the exception, saying that the Beach Bucket Bar and Grill, 867 S. Atlantic Ave., played outdoor music that impacted his quality of life.
“The possibility of having another restaurant/bar within close proximity of our condominium complex playing live outdoor music is very disturbing,” he wrote in a letter to the city.
City Manager Joyce Shanahan said a notice of code violation was issued to the Beach Bucket on May 8. To avoid going before a special magistrate and possible fines, the restaurant will need to apply for a special exception or stop the music.
Beach Bucket management did not return a call seeking comment.
The cost of applying for a special exception is about $1,750, according to the Planning Dept. It includes an application fee and the costs for advertising the public hearing.
