The Troup County Commission on Tuesday agreed to give Lakeside Grill an entertainment license that allows music, but not a designated area for dancing. Buck Davis cast the only dissenting vote.
The board suspended the marina’s entertainment license in 2007 because of complaints about the volume of live bands on the deck of what was then Captain Ron’s restaurant. The owners installed sound-absorbing material, but the complaints didn’t go away.
Tulla White then leased the space for a restaurant called 641 At The Marina, but it closed and Lakeside Grill took over the lease about two months ago.
Kimberly Thomas, who owns the restaurant with Michael Chancey, said she also has concerns about the noise level, but “we do want to provide entertainment for people on the lake.”
She said the restaurant will have acoustical music indoors and “try very hard to stay away from amplified music. We don’t want to disturb the residents there. I completely understand their concerns.”
The restaurant’s lease forbids music that’s more than 60 decibels. The owners have a meter to keep a check on it.
Linda Yearta, who lives on Cheyenne Drive near the marina, said she has no problem if the music stays indoors.
“Acoustic is OK if it’s inside,” added Mac Bradfield, who lives near the marina. “Any sound from the deck is carried across the water into my neighborhood.”
The license can be revoked if the commission gets complaints again.
“It’s a balance between the needs of the residents and free enterprise,” said commission Chairman Ricky Wolfe.
The board also approved a beer and wine license for Lakeside Grill.
The board tabled a proposal to raise beer and wine license fees from $200 to $500. There hasn’t been an increase since the early 1970s.
LaGrange charges $270 and “I was told that if we (raise the fee), City Council would follow suit,” Commissioner Ken Smith said.
“We need consistency,” Wolfe said, adding that he also wants to know what West Point and Hogansville charge.
Joel Martin can be reached at jmartin@ lagrangenews. com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 235.
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