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Minutes - San Leandro City Council Meeting - October 1, 1990 Page - 7 - . PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued) Mr. Vitz explained that when the noise level in the interior of the Club was at 90 dBA and the doors and windows were closed, the outside level would be between 55 and 59 dBA. He said the Board of Zoning Adjustments took the position that the use of the Club should not create a noise environment that extends beyond the General Plan Standards. The City Council said they were in favor of choral groups, opera singers, and other cultural activities at the Club and asked a number of questions related to the hiring of a security guard. Lee Bruner, the attorney representing the Alta Mira Club, said if amplified music were prohibited the Club would no longer be able to maintain its business because activities which required amplified music provided the revenue needed to maintain the Club. He noted that the Alta Mira Club was one of the oldest buildings in southern Alameda County. He noted the many other Conditions which the Alta Mira Club has accepted, including time limits on parties and having a paid employee at the Club during activities. The City Clerk noted that two letters had been received from Leon and Emilia Vieux and from Cynthia Straggas which opposed the noise and nuisance at the Alta Mira Club. The Hearing was then opened to the public. Michelle Walsh, 181 Best Avenue, said her son has had nightmares ever since a fight related to the Alta Mira Club took place outside their home and she feels a guard is needed to keep people inside the Club during activities. Leroy Woods, 572 Lafayette Avenue, said he was also speaking for his neighbor, Francis Marquette, 583 Lafayette Avenue. He said their homes are across the street from and abutting the Club. He said the doors are constantly left open and he did not feel amplified music was needed and that the music is quite loud. He said a guard has occasionally been hired but has not been effective. Mr. Woods read a letter from 1979 in which the Alta Mira Club promised the neighborhood they would cease the use of amplified music but requested that the neighbors be patient. He said he felt the Club should change their dues structure in order to produce greater revenue. Bob Weissman, 509 Lafayette Avenue, said he is a music professional and said any amplified music starts at approximately 90 decibels. He said as long as doors and windows are constantly being opened there would be noise outside the Club. He said the members of the Club should consider other sources of revenue which would decrease the need for the types of activities which create noise. He said he did not feel the Club was willing to compromise. James Tyson, 241 Leo Avenue, said when he is in his backyard he can hear exterior noises from BART, the railroad, etc. , but when the music is playing in the Club it drowns out all other noises. Steven Fontanot, 238 Leo Avenue, said the Club was not built for amplified music and he is against amplified music, particularly after 7:00 p.m.