Clay Township’s seaside bar and restaurant is testing this summer with extended hours of live music and extended opening hours for its outdoor bar, months after its initial request last year. .
However, these changes apply only on Friday and Saturday nights.
Tim McGrath, owner of On the Rocks Smokehouse & Tiki Bar, was the first to seek a special land-use amendment approved by the township’s planning committee in 2016. Outdoor bars were only allowed to operate from noon to 8pm, and no outdoor entertainment was allowed. Access to the bar he extends for two hours, allowing entertainment from noon to 10pm daily.
However, it was not clear on which specific day the request would be made, which led to widespread concern among neighbors about the impact of loud music and noise during special events at the bar. And after the hearing, the request was brought up again and again while officials searched for more information, and McGrath returned to the committee’s meeting on Wednesday night.
“We can go Friday, Saturday and Sunday. But if something happens…on Wednesday, it will take six weeks to get the permit,” he said, adding that restrictions could be an issue. I’m not going to pay to be in a band on a Wednesday when everyone has to work, that doesn’t pay me, but if there’s a school event or someone does something If you want to, that’s why I’m doing this.
“…that’s the only reason I went all week. It’s not even open on Mondays and Tuesdays.”
McGrath previously said the facility needed the ability to host entertainment in order to be more competitive with other establishments in the area.
Ultimately, the Planning Commission extended the hours of the outdoor bar to 10pm at the bar at 7479 Dyke Road and from 3pm to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer season after Memorial Day. You have agreed to allow us to provide entertainment.
In addition to the neighbors who oppose the late-night entertainment, there is a group of business advocates, some of whom, with the approval of the Board of Directors, have decided to end Sunday before half the conference attendees, including McGrath, leave. I quietly voiced my concerns about the exclusion.
Stay Shared Neighbors continued to share their concerns during public comment.
Some said McGrath has not acquiesced to requests to turn down music in the past, and feared a similar case could be the case this summer.
“My house is 122 feet east of The Rocks and 375 feet south of The Rocks. Music doesn’t go west,” said Lawrence Pronek, who lives on nearby Lake Drive. “My house, my windows rattled on St. Patty’s Day (in the past). I closed the door because it was cold. We could still hear music on the TV. I We don’t even listen to the music (per se), it’s the bass, the loudness.
Some asked why there was no need to measure noise levels — in response to the commissioner, McGrath said technicians were too high — and pointed to concerns about parking.
Inglewood Drive neighbor Don Stewart questioned the board’s decision about the probationary period.
When the comment time ended, he temporarily refused to leave the lectern and asked the commissioner what he would do if he were a neighbor.
“They will do their best to face your little trial and then leave as before,” Stewart said. To do.”
Officials said the occasions mentioned were often requests for special events that McGrath had permission from other bodies besides the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Tom Kozel called their decision a compromise.
Some officials have stressed that the trial period is an opportunity to see how many police reports and complaints are being filed in the township, with outdoor entertainment and bar hours set to drop later this year. It may be re-evaluated by the Commissioner.
“They will come back to us,” said Schweikart. If there were events that the Planning Commission was unable to address, she encouraged residents to share their concerns with the township board.
Jackie Smith (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.comFollow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith.