Live Music Ordinance Passes

Oct 1, 2013 9:29 PM

Doug Jenkins - WBGZ Radio

Loud music will be more tightly regulated in Godfrey, following the final approval of an ordinance by the Village Board. Neighbors and the Madison County Sheriff's Department have reported what they deem to be excessive noise coming from a couple of bars on Montclair Avenue in recent months, and now the village has another tool at its disposal to try and find a happy medium between residents' desire for peace and quiet and the businesses need to book bands to bring in business.

Many bars host live music on the weekends, but The Rotten Apple has erected an outside stage for its bigger acts. Trustee Sarah Johnes has concerns with what is determined to be a nuisance, as this ordinance could also be applied to music being played indoors if the sound drifts outside.

Johnes comments

As it is now, all Godfrey bars will be prohibited from having bands or other pre-recorded music such as what is played by dj's outside after 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 10pm all other nights. The exception would be on the night before a holiday, when they would be allowed until 11:00. Mayor Mike McCormick felt midnight might be more appropriate, based on conversations he says he has had with bar patrons. Mark Stewart on the other hand, felt 11:00pm was appropriate, but had issue with the bars being allowed to have music outside every weekend.

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