Pier noise complaints dismissed

Complaints regarding loud music coming from the Pier Bar & Grill fell on deaf ears Monday since the county noise ordinance does not apply to Navarre Beach.

Brad Palmer, association manager for Summerwind Resort, told commissioners that the Pier Bar continued to have live bands on the deck that “blasted” music and created a nuisance for Summerwind residents and renters. He claimed The Pier, Inc., the management of the county-owned Pier, had “clearly violated” its lease with the county because allowing live music was not outlined in the contract.

“You don’t have to be a lawyer to comprehend the violations,” he said. “Enforce your lease.”

County Attorney Angie Jones said the county noise ordinance didn’t apply to the Pier Bar because the beach was not residentially zoned.

Palmer argued that the county shouldn’t allow leaseholders to “act as though the rules don’t apply to them.” He said Summerwind owners wouldn’t have to get lawyers involved if the county would enforce its lease.

Commissioner Lane Lynchard asked Palmer how often the loud music occurred in the last 60 days, but Palmer said he couldn’t give specifics.

Commissioner Jim Melvin said the issue was whether the county intended to operate a bar on the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier deck. He suggested Pier management may want to only have acoustic music in an effort to be good neighbors.

For more on this story, see the Feb. 23 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe online.