Live Entertainment Licensing Program in Carpinteria remains “a work in progress”
CARPINTERIA, Calif. – The city of Carpinteria set up a tent full of chairs and a big screen monitor and a microphone in the anticipation of an overflow crowd.
People turned out in force to comment on Carpinteria's Live Entertainment Licensing Program.
Local businesses, including Island Brewing Company and Corktree Cellars, recently gathered more than 1,200 signatures on a petition to share their concerns about the over-regulation of outdoor entertainment.
But some vocal critics have complained about outdoor sound.
Stephen Marcussen, who makes a living in post production for recorded music, said that doesn't mean he wants to hear it when he and his family are in their Third Street home.
He said it was understandable when they relaxed outdoor music rules during the pandemic, but times have changed.
"Outdoor entertainment has gotten what I would call out of control in the community, and so I am a huge tennis fan, I can't event watch the tennis inside my home without hearing a live band and it is a little frustrating, " said Marcussen, "I support music, I make my living in music and have done so for 45 years, but entertainment is typically in an entertainment venue and not on a patio broadcasting through a childs' playground into a park and then well into a beach neighborhood."
Drummer Mathew Glasgow plays with Skamakazie! and said he enjoys playing all around town.
"I Hope the city lets us keep continuing to have live music. It is really crucial to the city I think you know we are kind of an integral part of the city with so many people that are involved and bringing us all together is what the community should be about," said Glasgow.
A majority of the people spoke out in favor of live music.
A couple of women mentioned the film "Footloose" and worried Carpinteria would crack down on live music.
Only a handful of people shared their concerns about late night noise.
After considering all the public comments Carpinteria City Councilmembers agreed on a 9 p.m. live music curfew on weekdays and 10 p.m. curfew on weekends and holidays.
They are still contemplating volume, and weekly time limits.
Councilmember Roy Lee said the regulations are still " a work in progress."
Lee, who will soon be leaving the council to take the seat he won on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, said he wants to make it easy for businesses to remember the live entertainment rules.
The council directed city staff to come back with a Live Music Licensing Program that can be implemented when a COVID related program expires on June 30.
They are looking for a compromise that will work for current and future businesses and community members.
For more information visit https://carpinteriaca.gov
