MACON, Ga. — Last year the Bibb County Planning and Zoning Board received an anonymous noise complaint about Society Garden. Since then, the board said they found several violations of rules they set for the Macon bar in 2017.
When it first opened its doors, Society Garden was approved to have 50 outdoor seats, a concert series monthly and to be closed by 10 p.m.
Lately, the bar is apparently hosting shows three times a week for up to 500 people and they don't stop until midnight.
They also made major changes like adding a bigger stage and more seating without approval. Sarah Gerwig has been advising the owner’s of Society Garden throughout the process.
She said she wanted to help them prepare for Monday's meeting.
"Make sure that we addressed all of the commission’s concerns that we could come in here today and just not need to ask for any more deferrals that we could be confident," Gerwig said.
Earlier this year, the planning and zoning board gave the owners changes that needed to be made if they wanted to keep their expansion.
These include adding a vegetation buffer, shifting their lighting away from homes, pulling the plug on the live music by 10 p.m. and closing their doors by midnight every night.
Christine Guard lives near the venue and said she’s received threats for speaking out against the business.
“I’ve had to be threatened every pretty much every week and sometimes every day since I was here last time," Guard said.
Guard said she wants something done about the sound of live music booming through her house. Gerwig said the owners added sound panels to reduce and direct the music.
The planning and zoning board unanimously approved the bar’s expansion.
Gerwig said it’s a win for everyone.
"Today we only had three commissioners that were able to vote on the item and it was unanimous that was a real feel-good moment I think for us and for the community this is a real win," Gerwig said.
Sandra Jarrett plays drums in a band at Society Garden. She said she was overwhelmed after the vote.
"Tears started coming down my eyes. I just hugged the attorney and everything and I just started crying because I know we need this. Macon needs this venue," Jarrett said.
Co-owner Brad Evans said he was waiting on the board’s vote before investing $50,000 in directional speakers. He estimated that the new sound system will be in later this month.