Grille Looks to Offer Live Music Outside

With a promise to not be too loud, the , on Route 202/206, requested permission from the township council April 14 to be allowed to have two acoustic guitars played outside the restaurant.

In a presentation, attorney John Sullivan said the restaurant is looking to have music out on the patio Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

“What we’re asking today is to allow us to have some live music out on the patio, but limited to acoustic guitar and an accompanying vocal,” he said. “It will not be amplified in any way.”

The council said it would not be against allowing for the music outside, but a resolution will still have to be drafted and approved before it can happen.

According to Sullivan, when the Green Knoll Grille first opened, restrictions were put on it concerning live music, and now the company is requesting a relaxation on the restriction concerning music outdoors.

The restriction, Sullivan said, initially said all live music would be only allowed inside the building at the southeast corner.

“That condition was imposed to ensure that no amplified music would leave the property,” he said.

But this change will still ensure that there is no amplified music outside because of the acoustic guitar and vocal with no microphones.

“Customers have asked about having this kind of outdoor music, and we think it compliments the family activities on those evenings,” Sullivan said, adding that the restaurant features face painting sometimes, and a magician on Saturdays.

Sullivan said the restaurant is asking for a limit of two acoustic guitars to be allowed outside.

“We would ask you to consider relaxing these conditions on that very specific term, and very specific conditions,” he said.

In answer to a question from the council, Sullivan said an acoustic guitar is distinguished by the fact that it is not electric, and therefore there is no cord to attach to an amplifier or speaker.

Councilman Matthew Moench said he would be fine with the music outside so long as there is a condition of reviewing the situation after a certain amount of time.

“I don’t have a problem so long as it’s conditioned on some trial period to make sure we are not going to have a slew of complaints,” he said. “We’ve seen a decrease in complaints from there, and if it’s a large crowd on the patio, I can’t imagine adding an acoustic guitar will add to the noise. It might lower it because people will want to listen.”

Moench suggested checking on the condition again in six months or a year.

Other members of the council said they would support the acoustic guitars and vocals outside.

“I’m very good with the request,” said councilman Dan Hayes. “But I do agree with the suggestion to being open to getting complaints.”

Council president Howard Norgalis suggested that the council would approve this action, but that he would like to consider a review in six months.

And in addition, Moench said, he is of the understanding that the restaurant will still have to comply with the township’s noise ordinance.

“If we actually do grant this, my understanding is that it does not mean they can go past the standard set for everyone,” he said. “If they violate [the noise ordinance], we will take action of that accord.”

A resolution is expected to be introduced at a subsequent meeting, but the council members said they would support the action.

“I think having an acoustic guitar in this type of environment, I would not object to it,” said councilman Allen Kurdyla. “The Green Knoll Grille has not given me any reason to think it’s out of line.”