OK, I am finally going to weigh in on this topic. Here is my opinion:
As a long-time resident of Grayton and Seagrove (is 50 years as a part- and full-time resident long enough?), I believe that this issue has nothing to do with “saving the music” and it has nothing to do with anyone wanting to put musicians out of business. I would bet that most of the complainers (whether they are complaining about loud music, loud crowds, loud dogs barking, or whatever) enjoy live music, just like everyone else. I don’t think that anyone wants to run live music out of South Walton so please, stop panicking.
Rather, this issue has everything to do with when and how live music is presented. It also has everything to do with how to be a good neighbor.
When a commercial establishment chooses to locate itself in a Neighborhood Preservation area (such as Grayton, Blue Mountain, Seagrove, Dune Allen), those commercial establishments have a duty to coexist peacefully with the neighbors. The establishments that I have read about, Pandoras and the former Snapperheads, are not located in Town Center or Mixed Use, nor are they part of a large community plan (or DRI’s) such as Seaside, Rosemary, Watercolor, etc.
Instead, these bar/restaurants are located in neighborhoods and directly adjacent to previously existing residential lots. Contrary to what has been stated on this board, all of the residential lots and most of the homes adjacent and near to these businesses were in existence long before Pandora’s or the Salty Dog/Snapperheads ever even opened for business.
In my opinion, a commercial establishment that chooses to do business in a neighborhood should keep its noise within the confines of the establishment. Ollie at the Red Bar seems to have no trouble doing this. He has his music inside, every day, the windows are closed, and there are no noise issues due to live music around the Red Bar.
What happens is that establishments such as Pandora’s and Snapperheads usually start as restaurants. OK, fine, Then they add live music. First, the music is inside. No problem. But then they decide to move the music outside to attract more business and to open up space inside for diners or bar patrons. They either start to amplify this music or it is played at a level where the adjoining neighbors are unable to enjoy their own lives on their own properties. So what was initially an “ok” situation (from the residents’ perspective) gradually turns into a very difficult situation to live with.
The residents of Grayton put up with a lot, especially with regard to traffic, and we all love living in Grayton. But the things that make Grayton so wonderful – its cool, funky cottages, its small shops and local restaurants, and its beach community feel – also require a balance between those who want to make a buck off Grayton and those who actually live in this cool and hip community. Grayton and Blue Mountain (and other small and quaint neighborhoods) should not be the home of loud late-night bars because such uses are not consistent with neighborhood-scale commercial uses (and under our Comprehensive Plan, neighborhood-scale commercial uses are the only types of uses that are authorized in the Residential Preservation category).
I have heard sowallers telling those who complain to put earplugs in or to lighten up and start enjoying life. But I will tell you that until you have dealt with an ongoing noise problem yourself, you cannot understand how distracting it can be and how unhappy it can make you. I would also bet that few of the “sowal critics” are full-time residents who live near these live music venues; rather they come to these neighborhood bars to enjoy the music and then head back to the confines of their quiet homes – very easy to say “live with it.”
My hope is that the establishments that are causing the problems would get some good business sense and just take their music inside and tone it down a little. Be a good neighbor and you will be welcomed into the neighborhood. (If everyone acted like good neighbors, there would be no need for any noise ordinances at all, but unfortunately, that is not the case.) Furthermore, I hope that there might be more interest in opening music venues in purely commercial areas – say along 98 in business districts and town centers. Those establishments could stay open late and have loud bands without any complaints.
Thank you for the opportunity to post my opinion and for reading my perspective on the "real" problem.