The permit will allow the Clinton Township, Mich., club to put speakers on its patio for a solo acoustic guitarist for weddings and other celebrations. The amplified sound system is used as an extension of the club’s sports bar, Floodz.
Fern Hill Golf Club in Clinton Township, Mich., has received approval for an outdoor entertainment permit that allows for speakers on the patio for a solo acoustic guitarist, and for weddings and other celebrations, the Macomb (Mich.) Daily reported.
“It was sort of precedent setting for us because past boards have not approved anything similar as we have ordinances that give us more latitude to be restrictive when it comes to outdoor music,” said township Clerk Kim Meltzer.
At issue is an amplified sound system the golf club was using for an extension of their sports bar Floodz when acoustic guitarist performed, but the club never had a permit for outdoor entertainment. Owners Jeff DeCaro and Dario Lanni, who purchased the golf club and banquet hall about four years ago, apparently were not aware of the permit requirement, the Daily reported.
In recent weeks, a homeowner living near the club filed a complaint with the police department about the outdoor music. After learning of the complaint, Meltzer visited the facility during an outdoor performance and measured the decibel level with a downloaded app. She found the 70-decibel readings were within the 85-decibel limit mandated in the township ordinance, the Daily reported.
“It didn’t seem to be an issue with me,” Meltzer said. “There seems to be a pretty big perimeter between the building and any nearby residential property.”
Clinton Township has a history of limiting outdoor entertainment for bars and restaurants and has been selective in issuing the permits. Township ordinances spell out various regulations for establishments with a Class C liquor license that have a deck or patio that set restrictions such as proximity to residential property, size, and limits the hours to noon to 10 p.m., the Daily reported.
Township Treasurer William Sowerby suggested the board postpone action in order to conduct a survey for establishments in other communities, but by the time the matter would have come back to the board, the golf club would lose out several remaining summer weekends, said township Supervisor Bob Cannon.
“The new owners of Fern Hill have been a great asset to our community,” Cannon said. “The music they are playing is not very loud. We try to be careful in regulating these things as each case stands on its own merit, but we feel it is not a major problem.”
DeCaro said Fern Hill did not mean to cause a controversy. He said the outdoor speakers are for the overflow from the sports bar and for weddings taking place at the gazebo, the Daily reported.
“We do about 25 wedding ceremonies in the summer, and the restrictions on the speakers can sometimes make it a little difficult for people who want music,” DeCaro said. “We are simply trying to create a nice family atmosphere for our customers.”
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