Printer-friendly version

Folly council decides on bar noise hours

By Edward C. Fennell (Contact)

The Post and Courier

Friday, October 10, 2008

FOLLY BEACH — Musicians will rock on in the island city's bars, but late night shows on outdoor decks and patios will have to end an hour sooner.

Indoor music, however, can continue until 2 a.m., an hour later than previously allowed.

The new ordinance, approved unanimously Sept. 23 by Folly Beach City Council, is a compromise aimed at satisfying both club owners — who need live music to keep patrons coming in — and beach residents who say late night performances deprive them and their children of peace and sleep.

The new ordinance shaves one hour each night off of the latest time that the previous ordinance allowed for amplified music, or sound made by any band or machine outdoors in the commercial zone — mainly along Center Street.

Bands playing in outdoor or open-air structures in the commercial zone will have to end their shows by 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; and by midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays.

All music indoors will have to cease by 2 a.m., the new law states. Previously indoor music had to end at 1 a.m.

At a public speaking segment before council acted, several musicians and bar owners said the new law would cost them money. Some residents living near the commercial zone told council that music keeps them and their children awake on school nights, and that the noise from open-air performances can be all-pervasive.

Musician Chris Woodrum of Folly Beach cited his many years entertaining on the island and asked council to explain how, if band hours are cut, "we will we support ourselves and our families."

But resident Dale Randall said he has to get up and go to work at 5:30 a.m., and the music deprives him of sleep. "There's got to be some limit there," he added.

Patty Chrysostom, whose home is in the commercial area, said that at times music from bars "can be heard in every room in my house at 12 (midnight) and 1 a.m."

"It's louder than the TV in my living room," she insisted. "We have children," she said, who need to study at night and get up early the next day for school.

The Post and Courier

Comments

Post a comment

(Requires free registration.)

Cover story
It's all about trout!
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 12 48 p.m.

CRISP MORNINGS. CLEAR WATER. GOOD FRIENDS. GREAT FISHING.
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Tight lines: lowcountry fishing
Angler's raise $25,000 for memorial reef
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 12 45 p.m.

The inaugural S.C. Memorial Billfish Challenge tournament raised more than $25,000
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

tight lines: lowcountry fishing
Lights, camera...fish on!
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 12 40 p.m.

Celebrity Classic tournament puts Lowcountry fishing in the ESPN spotlight.
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Casting OFF: maritime news
Maritime News
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 12 35 p.m.

What's happening in the Maritime News.
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Casting Off: Maritime News
Got an event?
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 12 32 p.m.

Events in the maritime community.
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Casting Off: Maritime News
Off on a new Adventure
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 12 25 p.m.

Charles Towne Landing reclaims a piece of its maritime past.
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Editor's Letter
Editor's Letter
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 12 20 p.m.

Grab a sweater. Take a coat. Pack a blanket. Do what you gotta do, just don’t let the cool weather scare you off the water.
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

boats and boaters: on the water
U.S. Coast Guard Report: November 2008
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 12 17 p.m.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported the following incidents for October 2008.
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Boats & boaters: On the water
Making the Mona Lisa
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 12 15 p.m.

Building boats and sailing solo are a cinch for this 78-year-old professor of biochemistry.
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Surf & Sand: Lowcountry beaches
Paddleboarders, longboarders heat up IOP beach
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 12 10 p.m.

The Joe Hiller Longboard Classic was full of firsts this year.
Read More
1 comment(s) / read/add comments

Currents: science and conservation
A voyage of discovery
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 12 05 p.m.

CofC students combine class work, real science and a taste of life at sea.
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Coastal cuisine: bounty of the sea
The ultimate feel-good food
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 12 00 p.m.

Lowcountry chefs strut their stuff in 5th annual Sustainable Seafood Festival.
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Tight lines: lowcountry fishing
Studies shed new light on cobia
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 12 00 p.m.

Popular fishing spots may be spawning grounds.
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Casting Off: Maritime News
Maritime Events
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 12 00 p.m.

Local events in the maritime community.
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Cover story
Catch 'em up!
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 12 00 p.m.

Shrimp baiting season is in full swing in the Lowcountry. So grab your net, head out at sunset and fill your freeer.
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Surf & Sand: Lowcountry beaches
Riders on the storm
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 12 00 p.m.

Surfers, kayakers take advantage of tropical storm
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Currents: science and conservation
Nesting sea turtles enjoy banner year
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 12 00 p.m.

Sea turtles have a great year. Large number of nests, good hatch rates reported
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Editor's Letter
2008 is turning out to be one bear of a year
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 12 00 p.m.

Whooooeeee — 2008 is turning out to be one bear of a year.
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Coastal cuisine: bounty of the sea
Tideline's cookbook for Decapitated Decapod Crustaceans
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 12 00 p.m.

It’s shrimp baiting season in the Lowcountry, which means you have the opportunity to bag your own fresh shrimp from Lowcountry waters and cook ‘em up good.
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments

Boats and boaters: On the water
Meet a modern naturalist
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 12 00 p.m.

Kayak guide reconnects people with natural world
Read More
0 comment(s) / read/add comments