Local News in Brief : Party Noise Law Assailed

The Manhattan Beach Property Owners’ Assn., which operates a public assembly hall on Rosecrans Avenue, has asked the City Council to reconsider a new ordinance regulating large parties.

The ordinance requires a group activity permit for activities for 50 people or more where food or alcohol is served or entertainment is provided.

Members of the association on Tuesday told the council that the ordinance makes it difficult to rent the Rosecrans hall to community groups that regularly use the facility and would be costly for the association, which holds monthly meetings at the hall.

Permits cost $250 annually for businesses that operate year-round, such as restaurants and hotels. For occasional applicants, the fees are $76 for each group activity when there is no admission charge and $153 when admission is charged. Private parties at residences also require a group entertainment permit. Political, religious and educational groups are exempt.

Residents who had urged the council to pass the ordinance told the council on Tuesday that they had no objection to working out amendments for events that did not present noise or disturbance problems.