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Neighbors press council to delay Fastnet Pub outdoor speakers; council continues hearing to Jan. 28
Summary
Owner of Fastnet Pub sought permission for outdoor TVs and speakers on the rear patio; nearby residents described persistent late-night bass and said prior mitigation had not resolved problems. Council voted to continue the entertainment request to allow additional neighborhood discussions.
Finbar Murray, owner of the Fastnet Pub, asked the Newport City Council on Jan. 14 for permission to place TVs and speakers on an outdoor patio, citing sports broadcasts as the reason. Murray said he had moved a problematic speaker earlier this year, met with neighbors and was willing to compromise on volume and configuration.
Neighbors who live directly behind the pub described ongoing noise problems. Jim Simmons said the bass could be felt inside his home and that prior meetings with the owner had not fully resolved the issue. Sam Lazarus, a nearby resident with a young child, said he had measured decibel levels during previous events and believed the pub had exceeded allowable sound limits.
City legal counsel and licensing staff explained differences between indoor and outdoor entertainment licensing and noted the city’s noise ordinance thresholds — 75 decibels during the day and 65 decibels after 11 p.m. — and warned councilors about prior-restraint legal limits on denying a license purely on speculative future disturbance. Councilors emphasized the need for objective evidence and described enforcement and revocation mechanisms if licensed entertainment breaches limits.
Council action: after extended public comment and a request from several councilors that neighbors and the owner continue to work toward a compromise, the council voted to continue the outdoor‑entertainment hearing to the Jan. 28 meeting to allow for more neighborhood engagement and, if needed, additional evidence or monitoring results.
What’s next: The council requested the parties attempt further local mitigation and said it expects updated information or agreements at the Jan. 28 hearing.
