DUNEDIN, Fla. — You can now stay out a little longer at businesses in downtown Dunedin. City leaders recently extended an outdoor dining curfew that was in place.
While patrons can stay later, there are still some restraints.
A downtown business owner said recent changes to city ordinances are good for business, but people who live nearby believe it could create challenges.
For months, business owners and neighbors in Dunedin have been challenging noise and outdoor dining ordinances with the city.
After hearing both sides, city leaders decided to change their outdoor dining ordinance. The original rule required businesses and bars to vacate at 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends. Now, patrons can dine outside later. George Courtney calls it a win for his business which closes at 3 a.m.
“Since the Fall is coming people are coming to enjoy the outside. We've had wedding receptions, we've had birthdays, all sorts of fun stuff. So, we want that to be more part of our business as well,” Courtney said.
“Many of his neighbors are homeowners. A noise ordinance is still in place. Noise cannot be over 65 decibels at someone's property line. Courtney said this could be a conversation between two people three feet apart,” Courtney said.
“For more than two minutes, if you're going over 65 decibels, you're in violation. Pretty restricting, some other places are 65 and 75. If you're being loud you can get in trouble for it anyway and that's how it's always been,” Courtney said.
Courtney said he's adding noise canceling measures around his business to be mindful to his neighbors, but Sharon Dalton is more concerned about closing time.
“Nothing good happens after 12. 12, 1:00, that would be about it because as you can see right now there are a lot of people that live downtown,” Dalton said.
City leaders hope the changes will limit the number of noise complaints the city receives.