BUSTI - Several Busti residents who live near Southern Tier Brewing Company are worried about music events held at the business.
On Monday, the town residents spoke during a public hearing on a special-use permit for Phineas and Sara DeMink, Southern Tier Brewing Company owners, for a band shelter or stage.
Tom Vavala, Big Tree Road resident, said he is concerned with how many outdoor music events will be held at the business, which is located at 2072 Stoneman Circle, Lakewood. He also wants to know what times they will be held and how issues with parking will be alleviated so concert goers aren't parking along Hunt Road. Jim Dahlie, Big Tree Road resident, also had similar concerns. He said with the expansion of the business's beer garden - where people drink and listen to music outside at Southern Tier Brewing Company - the sound is getting louder and louder. A couple other residents were also concerned about concerts on Sunday afternoon, which disrupted time they wanted to spend outside in their yard.
Article Photos
The stage at Southern Tier Brewing Company, 2072 Stoneman Circle, Lakewood.
P-J photo by Dennis Phillips
Phineas DeMink said, first and foremost, he doesn't want to annoy the neighbors with the concerts. He said there is a misunderstanding where people think he is building a large outdoor music concert area, like an amphitheater. He said that is not the case. The stage only holds about five people and is primarily used by acoustic acts, which don't use amplification systems or drum kits. He did say when Big Leg Emma performed in June, an amplification system and a drum set were used, but it is rare.
Phineas DeMink said only a few concerts were held on Sunday, which included a fundraiser for St. Susan Center, which raised thousands of dollars. The business also hosted a fundraiser for WRFA, which is owned by the Arts Council for Chautauqua County.
''What Southern Tier Brewing Company does for us helps us a great deal," Sue Colwell, executive director of the St. Susan Center, told The Post-Journal in September. ''We've grown to depend on it because of the continued growing need in our community. It's very important because it helps us with our costs. So, we welcome this fundraiser. And, people have a great time.''
Phineas DeMink said he will stop the concerts on Sundays if it is too upsetting for neighbors. He also said concerts are done by 10 p.m. when held Thursday, Friday or Saturday and done by 5 p.m. when held on Sundays. Also, the business doesn't host concerts four days a week during the summer, but, at most, a couple nights a week.
Phineas DeMink said he is working on additional parking, which would included 23 to 27 more spaces, and has posted signs during large music events for people not to park on Hunt Road or they will be ticketed.
Busti officials said they will take the concerns from the residents who live next to the business and establish guidelines for use of the stage at Southern Tier Brewing Company. They will discuss the special-use permit further at their next meeting, Monday, Nov. 19.