Council approves Richmond Smoke outdoor entertainment license after resident noise concerns

The Richmond Town Council on June 17 approved an outdoor entertainment license for Richmond Smoke, 1219 Main Street, allowing events on Saturdays and Sundays between 1 p.m. and 11 p.m. between June and November.

The vote followed a public hearing in which a nearby resident, David Benson, said the live concerts at the venue had been “annoying” and asked the town to require monitoring of noise levels. Benson told the council he lives about 1,000 feet away in Kenhub Park and cited the town’s noise limit of 75 decibels at 200 feet, calling some concerts “particularly egregious.”

Orianna Kenyon, general manager of Richmond Smoke, told the council she took over management in February and said she had changed the venue’s music programming to reduce volume, moving away from heavier genres toward country and bluegrass. “We are trying to be respectful of the community,” Kenyon said, adding staff are mindful that sound travels and are working to keep events quieter.

Council members acknowledged the previous complaint history but said existing town noise ordinances remain enforceable and encouraged neighbors to report violations through the town’s established process. The council also suggested Kenyon exchange contact information with a nearby resident to facilitate direct follow-up if problems arise.

The motion to approve the license passed on a roll-call vote: Councilor Dinsmore — yes; Councilor Madnick — yes; Councilor Reynolds — yes; Councilor Wilcox — yes.

The approved license specifies Richmond Smoke may hold outdoor entertainment at the listed address during the approved months and hours; the council did not impose additional special conditions at the meeting. The town clerk will finalize the license paperwork.