Temecula musicians, businesses press council to revise noise rules amid enforcement

Dozens of musicians, venue owners and Old Town residents urged the Temecula City Council on July 8 to revise how the city enforces its noise rules after recent citations forced some venues to cancel live music nights.

The comments, made during the meeting’s public-comment period, centered on enforcement of a sound ordinance adopted in 2006 that multiple speakers said is now being actively enforced and is limiting live performance in the city’s entertainment district. ‘‘This arbitrary limit is set to appease people who knowingly moved into an entertainment district,’’ musician Mickey Arnett told council members.

Why it matters: Musicians and venue operators said live performance draws customers to restaurants, wineries and retail in Old Town and supports local employment; residents said noisy late-night events can disrupt sleep and well-being. Council and staff said the issue is under review inside a broader general-plan amendment.

Musicians and owners described the impact. Bailey’s Restaurant owner Chris Bailey said the venue canceled outdoor music after repeated citations and that the business and artists had begun talks with council members earlier in the day. ‘‘I think we achieved a lot,’’ Bailey said after a meeting with council members. Several performers said the city’s enforcement, which they described as regular decibel checks at venue property lines on weekend nights, has reduced their income and vibrancy in Old Town.

Performers and a number of community groups called the numeric limit unrealistic in the Old Town environment. ‘‘I walked the area and the ambient average decibel was 84 dB,’’ Mickey Arnett said, adding that the ordinance’s limits fall below typical street and venue sound levels. Other speakers, including sound technicians, suggested technical mitigations — directional speakers, EQ adjustments and sound baffling — as alternatives to blunt limits.

Council response and process: Mayor Bridal Kalfas told the audience the council could not deliberate during public comment but said city leaders were listening. ‘‘The issue of live entertainment is not on our agenda tonight … but do know that we do hear you,’’ the mayor said, noting that the sound ordinance is being reviewed as part of the city’s general-plan amendment. Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Alexander told the crowd, ‘‘Nobody is talking about shutting you guys down. I at least believe we are pro live music.’'

What speakers asked for: Musicians and venue owners urged a narrowly tailored approach that recognizes entertainment districts; proposals included updated decibel standards for entertainment zones, targeted curfews, a clear permitting process and use of sound-mitigation technology. Joanna Pearl, president of the nonprofit Make Music Temecula, offered to work with the city on solutions.

What the city said it will do: Council members and staff said councilors had already met with business representatives and that the city would examine decibel levels, exemptions and enforcement procedures as part of the general-plan amendment. Council members encouraged continued, structured engagement between businesses, musicians, residents and city staff.

Next steps and open items: Council members said no ordinance change was adopted at the July 8 meeting and that any changes would proceed through the general-plan amendment process, public hearings and staff analyses. Several musicians asked for clearer interim guidance so venues can plan bookings while the amendment proceeds.

Ending: Speakers and council members asked musical venues, residents and city staff to continue the dialogue. Several performers who addressed council said they will work with the city and local business associations to propose technical and policy solutions ahead of future hearings.