AVALON — Many property owners here do not want outdoor music at dining establishments with liquor licenses, a survey by the Avalon Home and Land Owners Association (AHLOA) reflects, however, a majority of those surveyed wouldn’t mind, if restrictions were enforced.
Councilman Joseph Tipping said noise prohibition waivers are a logical consideration following council’s approval of an outdoor dining ordinance.
AHLOA Vice-President Michael Matt presented council with results of 800 surveyed members, about 57 percent of its membership, asking for their opinion on a borough liquor license holder applying for a noise prohibition waiver.
Nearly half, 45.8 percent, of those surveyed said they would not support the request under any condition; 2.2 percent would support granting the request without condition; 20 percent would support the request for private events, authorized by borough permit, with limited hours and no amplification or percussion instruments; 32 percent would support general outdoor music with limited hours providing noise abatement ordinances are strictly enforced.
Reflected in these numbers is that 52 percent of members would like some outdoor music format if noise were limited and/or monitored.
Although council appreciated the input, the survey did not include opinion on non-liquor license holding establishments requesting a noise prohibition waiver, nor did it include the opinion of non-AHLOA members. Officials agreed that it’s necessary to gain those insights as well as enforcement insight from Police Chief David Dean before making a decision to grant waivers.
“AHLOA rejects the premise that Avalon is a tourist destination; it is more of a second-home town,” Matt read a policy statement on the character of the town on behalf of the organization, which represents about 1,500 borough property owners, of which 85 percent are non-residents.
Matt said a survey from 2006 reflects that 63 percent of AHLOA members want to do more to address seasonal issues like noise and traffic. He said since the borough has no defined business district, noise from outdoor entertainment is not confined to a single area.
“Avalon is a residential town, not one built around entertainment,” he said.
Matt said the borough shouldn’t be compared with the entertainment environment of nearby communities like Sea Isle City and North Wildwood. He said council should not consider selective relief for limited times and areas because noise control changes provide benefits only to the applicants.
For the 52 percent who would like some form of outdoor music with restrictions and/or noise abatement enforcement, the organization would support a limited trial period on which to judge the impact on community and enforceability. Council must consider proposed hours, formats, venues, crowd control and alcohol use.
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck@cmcherald.com.
Town Bank – Trumpies you got your wish. You made your bed now you you have to sleep in it. Next 4 years will eventually tell you did you get in the right bed.
