St. Joseph City Commissioners have cautiously granted permission to a local venue to offer outdoor music later than normally allowed this summer.
At a meeting this week, the Sandbar and Grille on Lakeshore Drive requested permission to allow outdoor shows until midnight on 12 dates this summer. Assistant City Manager Emily Hackworth told commissioners they allowed that on four dates back in 2020 and it didn’t go so well.
“After the first date, I will point out there were so many complaints at that time that the approval was revoked for the remaining date,” Hackworth said. “Since then, my understanding is that they have continued to have performances until 10 p.m. There have been complaints even with the music until 10 p.m.”
Sandbar owner Tom Jennings wants to give it another go, telling the city commission he’s booked bands to play through mid-August, and being allowed to go later helps to recoup the cost.
Public Safety Director Steve Neubecker said when past noise complaints have come in, the Sandbar was always quick to quiet down, but he advised not allowing the music on all 12 dates. Commissioner Michelle Binkley wasn’t for all 12, either.
“Based on past history, I’m reluctant to approve all the dates,” Binkley said. “I think I wouldn’t mind thinking about trying a few dates until, say, 11 and see how it goes.”
Commissioners said July features plenty of loud outdoor activities at night, so perhaps later music only in July would be more tolerable to neighbors. Therefore, Mayor Brook Thomas suggested only allowing the music later than the current 10 p.m. limit for the month of July.
Commissioners granted the Sandbar permission to offer the outdoor performances until 11 p.m. during July only. They will reconsider the issue in July once some resident feedback has come in.
