Blue Moon patio will stay

The City of Sonoma’s planning commission recently extended a use permit allowing the Blue Moon Saloon to have an enclosed outdoor patio.
“Bars will be bars, boys will be boys,” said Randy Cook, chair of the planning commission, “But it is the question of control. I’m comfortable with having automobiles and smoking and a lot of conversation going on out in the parking lot. I think this is a move in the right direction. Compatible or incompatible, that’s the way it is.”
He pointed out that the saloon predates most of the housing in the area. Overall, the commission seemed satisfied that the bar’s owner has been doing everything possible to control noise.
On July 10, 2008, the planning commission had approved a use permit to allow Blue Moon Saloon, located at 19380 Sonoma Highway, to have an enclosed outdoor patio area on the property on a six-month trial basis. The saloon had to put up a sign in the parking lot requesting that motorcycle riders exit the parking lot quietly so as to not disturb the adjacent residents. The owner wrote to the commission that he also has two staff members making sure people keep the noise down in the parking lot.
In August and September 2008, the city planning department received five complaints related to the Blue Moon Saloon. Neighbors complained about loud music from the jukebox, loud voices in the parking lot area, motorcycle engines revving when leaving the property, and shared parking issues. There are two single-family residences located on the same property.
Owner Michael Reinke said that he wasn’t sure if the noise that generated complaints was coming from the patio.
“The noise is not necessarily going to go away. The bar is a noisy place,” said Reinke, who has owned the bar for about three years. The saloon has been open for about 30 years.
“I’d like to see this given a better opportunity to work,” said commissioner Raymund Gallian. “If we deny this, we decontrol the situation even more than now. The smokers will go back out into the parking lot.”
Commissioner Gary Edwards pointed out that there is actually quite a bit of noise related with a church near his house, just from the comings and goings.