Commission hears enforcement updates as Midway, Gestalt and others face repeated sound complaints

Deputy Director Azavito told the commission the office has received a little over 54 sound complaints since the previous hearing, and that 23 of those complaints involved The Midway.

On Edinburgh Castle Pub, an inspectors decibel reading showed levels nearly 20 decibels below the venues approved sound limit; the inspector also noted the complainant is not directly adjacent to the pub and that sound would have to travel through a building to reach that unit. The owner told officers the business was following permit conditions, and staff said there is no further enforcement action at this time pending cooperation.

At The Midway, inspector readings on New Years Eve and Jan. 1 showed the venue operating above its sound limit; inspectors worked with the owner to bring levels down in real time, but additional complaints arrived after an inspectors shift ended. Staff received 24 complaints over the New Years period, and the deputy director recommended three steps to reduce neighborhood impacts: promote a real-time hotline and email to neighbors, have staff take and document sound meter readings every 30 minutes during shows, and install a limiter if performers cannot be controlled. The Midway owners said they would implement ideas over two weeks and then brief staff and the commission.

Gestalt (3159 16th Street) has received multiple citations: staff issued citations after inspector observations on Oct. 30 and Jan. 8 and a third citation is pending following a Jan. 13 incident; the owner submitted a compliance plan that includes better control of unauthorized DJs, use of a decibel reader and centralized speaker/mixing equipment. Staff recommended the commission consider permit reconditioning if violations continue.

Park Lab Gardens and Sparks Social received four anonymous complaints about food trucks playing music; inspector visits on Jan. 1, Jan. 8 and Jan. 9 found no amplified sound above ambient at a 50-foot distance. Staff noted anonymous complaints and non-specific locations make enforcement difficult.

Commissioners pressed staff on the pattern of repeated complaints, the difficulty of anonymous reports and the tendency of sound to travel across Mission Bay, and they urged staff to return with additional options for stronger enforcement where repeat violations occur. No formal enforcement action was voted at the meeting; staff said they will invite The Midway to present implementation results at the commissions February hearing.