A new noise ordinance for area businesses and homeowners went to a vote Wednesday evening, following a years-long battle between residents and a local craft brewery over noise at night.

  • City Commission approved new ordinance by 4-1 vote
  • New rule allows 75 decibels from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. weekdays
  • Level drops to 65 after 10 p.m.

The Bradenton City Commission approved the new ordinance by a 4-1 vote. Prior to the vote, however, the noise levels specified in the ordinance got some tweaking.

The rule now specifies a limit of 75 decibels on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The level then drops to 65 decibels. On weekends and holidays the level remains at 75 until midnight.

The debate over noise levels raged between area businesses and homeowners long before Wednesday’s vote. In particular, since their opening in 2014 Motorworks Brewing has dealt with many visits from police following calls from residents concerned about the amount of noise at the brewery at night.

"It's not only frustrating, the fact is that nobody wants to see police in their parking lot,” said Motorworks co-owner Frank Tschida. “[A]nd just because somebody calls, it doesn't mean that we've broken the ordinance or that it's illegal.”

Tschida said local bands only play outside during hours allowed by the city ordinance. Some neighbors, however, are still not happy.

Many of the calls and concerns coming from residents of the Village of the Arts, a quiet and creative community where people live and work. For them, the noise ordinance keeps the atmosphere just the way they like it.

"Most people in the area support the growth, and we want to see a more vibrant city, more live music, more of everything,” said Carrie Price-Whaley, who owns a business in the village. “But at the same time we are concerned about protecting the quality of life.”

Only a small side street separates the back of Motorworks and the Village of the Arts. While both sides agree the boundaries have been a source of conflict, they also agree that the issue is not only about them, but the economic future of the city.

"This just isn't about Motorworks,” said Tschida. “This is about an entire city and an entire community trying to thrive and grow, and not be stifled by a sound ordinance which chases the young crowds or the young professionals up into St. Petersburg or Hillsborough County."

"We're working towards this whole 'live work play' dynamic downtown, but the ‘live’ part is still really essential to that,” said Price-Whaley. “As a part of that, we want to say, ‘How can you have what your business needs?’ and ‘How can we still have what we need as a neighborhood?’"