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Lois said she took a poll of the sur-rounding neighborhood that revealed 6 against the late night music and 24 in favor. She also said, "There are things we can do to help absorb sound."
Owner Rick Plocher said they have stepped up patrolling of the parking lot. "We also told our bands to cut down the base and play at half volume. I've talked to two police and both said there was nothing wrong with the volume."
At this point Mayor Mary Meuwissen asked if residents cared to address the issue. Said Kimberly LaGaard, "My floors and windows shook last weekend. They were planning for outdoor concerts when they built their new addition. Why didn't they plan for the acoustics? You gave them a blank check for an amphi-theater in Victoria. It's an outdoor theater!"
"I happen to suffer from migraines," she said. "I called to the bar and they hung up the phone on me. Last weekend they didn't answer their phone. Extra police calls should not be paid for by the city ... The noise has to be considered a detriment to the neighborhood and the community ... We live in an old house that probably doesn't have the insulation of newer homes ...
"Our concerns are very real. Their permit specifically says bluegrass music, not rock! We're asking them to turn it down earlier and lose the base. It's like fingernails on a chalkboard."
Said resident Kim Larson, "Our house was also rattling. We shut our win-dows ... We have a 4 and an 8-year old who were up crying because of the noise ... A blues band is a different configura-tion than a rock band ...
"I called Chanhassen, Chaska, Car-ver, Waconia, Bloomington, and Edina. None but Waconia has bands outside after 10:30 p.m., and they have big stipulations and costs for a band beyond 10:30 p.m."
Kim Larson said she talked to a police officer who said he felt sorry for anyone trying to sleep in the neighbor-hood. "People in Kirke-Lachen can hear it too," she added.
Husband Ron Larson also came to the podium. "It used to be only twice a year, during their anniversary weekend and the Lions Tournament. Bloomington issues a $72 permit that can be pulled. I recom-mend you rescind the noise ordinance and issue permits that can be pulled."
Councilmembers took turns respond-ing to the dilemma. Stated Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "I think we want to come up with something that balances and brings a resolution on how we can work through this.
Said Councilmember Jerry Bohn, "I think it's inappropriate to have a band concert in a residential neighborhood. I would vote to rescind it [the extension to the noise ordinance]. This is a residential area, not a commercial area. I sympathize with the residents."
Said Councilmember Richard Tieden, "I've been to Floyd's many times. I love the music. I'm not concerned what style of music they have. You run across problems when you extend it outside, but I think you're addressing that. Your facility does lend itself to an outdoor concert."
"Fact of the matter is," continued Richard, "Victoria is an independent, noncontiguous place. When it's a quiet night, you can hear a car going by. This is a tough one. It's a real problem. Even if it was 95 in favor and 5 against, we got to be concerned about the 5. The music has got to be controlled, and I see that as a cost factor for you, in maybe professional sound controls. How much are you willing to invest to control the issue?"
Councilmember Gordon Simanton also spoke to the owners: "I echo what Richard said. It doesn't sound like there's total objection. I sense the neighbors are willing to work with you. I think you should be given the opportunity to resolve the issue."
Added Mayor Mary, "I think you want to be thinking about the future. It's a long term issue. We gave you a vari-ance to do some patio type things, but you might have to tell the bands to cut the music down at 10:30. Another council isn't going to want to touch this. There's a great opportunity to help make this work. Would Council be amenable to letting the neighbors and Floyd's work together?"
Lois asked for two weeks to under-take a project to reduce the noise levels, maybe even hanging gunny sacks on the west side of the building to absorb sound. Council will review the situation after the two weeks have passed.
Click here for more July 2002 City Scoop.
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