Resident complains of loud outdoor music; venue owner says she will limit bands

A resident identified by the chair as Gordon told the Lackawanna City Council caucus on Feb. 17 that music coming from a nearby venue patio has repeatedly disturbed neighbors, saying the sound often measures about 75 decibels and prevents him from watching television at home. "I'm over a 150 yards away, and I can't watch television because it's thumping through my house at 75 decibels," Gordon said during the public-comment period.

Melinda Martin, who the chair introduced as the new owner of the venue often referred to in the meeting as the Ice House, told the council she plans to scale back outdoor music and be mindful of neighbors. "I've been doing bands twice a month... if I do any kind of music on the patio, I am looking to do a solo or a duo. I'm not looking to do full bands," Martin said, adding she wants "everybody to be happy and comfortable." She also told the council the patio was part of the parcel she purchased.

Council members responded that an entertainment license is granted at the council's discretion and can include enforceable terms. The chair stressed the licensing authority and enforcement mechanism: "A license is exactly that... it's not a right. It's a privilege. If the terms of the license are violated, of course, then you could be subject to a review and a revocation of that right." The council described balancing business vitality and neighborhood quality as the core issue and urged the owner to communicate with neighbors ahead of planned events.

The caucus approved an entertainment license for the venue later in the meeting. Council members did not announce specific code changes at the caucus; they noted the city's noise and licensing code may need review and that enforcement options remain available if terms are violated.