After a recent public administrative review of the use permit for Libertine Brewing Company in downtown San Luis Obispo, one message clearly resounded during the hearing.
Don’t mess with our local bands and live music events.
The Central Coast has recently become a Mecca for live music, and that train ain’t slowing down anytime soon.
Dozens of students, nearby residents and local concertgoers showed up en masse at the midday hearing on Monday, February 23 at City Hall. All but two spoke in favor of Libertine and its importance as a live music showplace.
City community development staff members Mallory Patino and Brian Leveille did a good job explaining everything. The reality was that Libertine’s permit never really was in doubt, since staff had recommended it continue in their report issued several days before the hearing.
Let’s hope that common sense and reasonableness prevail for this and other development issues facing our rapidly changing, evolving community.”
But that didn’t stop an outpouring of support, mostly from Cal Poly students who spoke sincerely about the sense of community that Libertine offers. John Pranjic, Libertine’s general manager, said the facility remains committed to being a good neighbor by making sure its doors are closed, re-configuring the stage, and having their audio engineer monitor sound levels.
In addition, local theatre owners/event promoters Rob Rossi and Bruce Howard spoke in support of Libertine. And a few nearby residents did as well, appreciating the positive vibe the brewery offers.
The nearby homeowners who were the complainants seemed upset by the decision, so hopefully they continue to coordinate with city staff and Libertine to improve their situation and make it a win-win.
The bottom line is that all local nightclubs along our downtown corridor—like The Mark and Frog & Peach—provide essential entertainment for the entire Central Coast. Certainly more people are moving into that corridor, and fortunately it appears most of them welcome the vibrancy of downtown nightlife
Let’s hope that common sense and reasonableness prevail for this and other development issues facing our rapidly changing, evolving community.