San Anselmo targets restaurant noise after 10 p.m.
San Anselmo will require downtown restaurants that want to offer entertainment after 10 p.m. to obtain a town permit.
The Town Council voted 4-0 on Tuesday to update the zoning code after a discussion that balanced the concerns of residents in the Lincoln Park neighborhood with restaurants seeking to draw more nighttime business.
“We want to solve the problem that exists,” said Mayor Steve Burdo. “The problem that exists is amplified music happening late at night that is disrupting residents when, reasonably, children would be sleeping, people are getting ready for work, that kind of thing.”
Heidi Scoble, community development director, suggested updating the town code so commercial district restaurants seeking to have live entertainment after 10 p.m. obtain a conditional use permit. The process involves appearing before the Planning Commission.
“Since 2023, the town has received complaints,” she said. “This ordinance is being proposed … to clarify standards and establish appropriate guardrails.”
During public comments, a half-dozen residents who live near the intersection of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Red Hill Avenue said the remedy was too lenient.
“I’m concerned about the proposed ordinance because I feel it’s way too open-ended,” said Bill Murray, a 20-year resident. “We’re talking about allowing an establishment to have live or amplified music seven days a week until 10 p.m.”
“You don’t know what happens on our street, even without live music,” said Martha Blum. “When people empty out of those restaurants … they’re happy. They’re shrieking. Some of them are drinking. They’re getting in their car and blasting the car radio. They’re parking on our street and making noise.”
Serafin Miranda, who owns Marinitas, a Mexican restaurant on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, said, “I know we have a lot of complaints with our neighbors.”
Miranda said he has taken numerous steps to address those concerns, including soundproofing doors.
“We stopped doing events since October because we knew we had this hearing coming, and I didn’t want to upset anybody anymore,” he said.
“We are trying to run a business in San Anselmo, which is tough,” he said. “Nobody is going to run an event seven days a week. We barely get anyone in after 8 p.m. any weekday.”
Councilmember Yoav Schlesinger said the initial proposed change, to limit live entertainment, should be more specific. The language could include quieter events such as poetry readings, fundraisers or live acoustic music.
Schlesinger noted that town code already limits noise levels outside restaurants to 55 decibels, the equivalent of a coffee machine and quieter than a vacuum cleaner.
Schlesinger suggested the wording be changed to “entertainment and activities” unrelated to serving food. The council agreed.
Councilmember Eileen Burke’s suggestion that late-night activities be limited to weekends was rejected because holidays can fall on weekdays.
Councilmember Chantel Walker said it is important to assess the code revision’s effects in six months to see if it is accomplishing its goals.
After the council vote, Miranda said he could abide by the new rules, but he’d still like some late-night festivities on occasions such as Halloween and Cinco de Mayo.