CARPINTERIA, Calif. – In anticipation of a packed crowd, a tent filled with chairs, large-screen monitors and microphones has been set up outside the Carpinteria City Council building.
On the agenda is Carpinteria's live entertainment licensing program.
Local businesses like Island Brewing Company and Corktree Cellars recently gathered more than 1,000 signatures on a petition sharing their concerns about regulations that make it difficult to host live music.
However, some vocal music critics have complained about the outdoor sound.
Steven Marcussen makes a living post-producing recorded music, but he said that doesn't mean he wants to listen to it when he's at home in Carpinteria.
It's no surprise that rules surrounding live music have been relaxed during the pandemic, but times have changed, he said.
“I'm a huge tennis fan because outdoor entertainment is kind of out of control in the community. I can't watch tennis inside my house without hearing a live band, which is a little frustrating.” he said. Marcussen, “I support music and make a living from music and have done so for 45 years, but entertainment typically takes place in entertainment venues, not on patios, from children's playgrounds to parks, It will even be broadcast close to the beach.”
Current city regulations limit the number of hours live music can be performed and specify times of the night when music must stop.
Companies are looking for compromises.
We will be taking public comments tonight.
We'll have more on this tonight on the News Channel.