Having listened to the debate over the proposed ordinance to allow the playing of recorded music in outdoor seating areas in select restaurants around Lewes, the core issue should be: Can you hear the music if you aren’t in or near the restaurant? Recently, a test was conducted on a Saturday afternoon. It found that recorded music played outside, at the volume allowed by state law, can only be heard roughly 30 feet from the restaurant – and only if there is no other noise. People talking, cars, trucks, HVAC units, wind – all shrink that distance. And the noise from conversations during outdoor dining drowns it out completely, unless you are inside the seating area.
Opponents complained about noise from restaurants on the beach side of the canal. Stopping this proposal will do nothing about that issue. Complaints were made about the process, that the city should stop and try again, yet this was the argument made the last time this proposal was raised. Complaints were also made that the restaurants already make enough money.
Let’s give the Lewes restaurant community a little credit. It takes courage, stamina and flexibility to start a restaurant, especially in a small community. None of them want to drive away business, antagonize the community or destroy the town’s charm. Our restaurants have invested heavily not just in their businesses but also in our town, and they deserve our appreciation and support for helping make Lewes so attractive and appealing. When it comes to ensuring their restaurants continue to succeed, they’ve earned the benefit of the doubt.
The proposal is fair. It strikes a proper balance between community interest and business opportunity, and I hope it will pass. Like everywhere, Lewes has challenges, but music you can’t hear isn’t one of them.
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