A proposed ordinance to allow live music at Seal Beach businesses remained in flux following a lengthy Monday Planning Commission meeting. Planners gave staff their thoughts on the subject and the issue will return to the commission sometime in January.
Commission Vice Chair Deb Machen, who represents Old Town, said one of the questions raised was whether to allow ambient music or solo amplified performers to play without an entertainment permit, subject to the same noise standards that would apply to others.
For example, according to Machen if a retail shop or bookstore wanted someone to stage a book reading, they wouldn’t necessarily need a live entertainment permit. Machen was concerned about what would trigger code enforcement. She said she didn’t want residents to be responsible for code enforcement.
Another issue was the permit renewal process. Entertainment permits are expected to be issued for one year. The proposed ordinance says that a business with a permit that misses the renewal deadline would not be allowed to have a permit for one year.
“We thought that was a little harsh,” Machen said.
She said staff was going to have a noise study done to look at the decibel level of noise and how far sound carries beyond the walls of a business.
Machen, a past Chamber of Commerce president, said she wanted residents to enjoy their relaxing lifestyle while allowing businesses to provide live entertainment.
Machen said none of this was absolute yet.
Planners also looked at a request to replace an 802 square foot car wash with a 3,004 square foot car wash at the Mobile Station at 12240 Seal Beach Blvd., opposite the Shops at Rossmoor.
Machen said that hearing had been continued to a future meeting. According to Mahcen there were objections from neighbors that planners wanted to look at.
There was also testimony during the public comment segment of the meeting that was supportive of the proposed car wash project.
(Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to correct an error that appeared in the print edition of the Sun. Deb Machen is vice chair of the Seal Beach Planning Commission, not the chair as was reported in the print edition.
