Clubhouse and neighbors work together 

The Clubhouse at This Old House will be able to continue operating while the owner and neighbors try to work things out.

The San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission voted unanimously Nov. 19 to have staffers monitor the restaurant’s sound levels and hours of operation in an effort to save the business from potentially devastating music restrictions.

The owner of the Clubhouse, Andrew Adams, told New Times he was pleased with the commission’s decision and said he looks forward to working out noise problems with his neighbors.

“I think it was probably the best potential outcome we could have hoped for,” Adams said.

The commission gave Adams a Feb. 10, 2011, deadline to give county staffers a plan to come to some kind of compromise with his neighbors.

The decision came after a very tired commission and supporters on both sides of the issue deliberated well past 5 p.m. on a Friday afternoon.

Tom Meinhold, one of the Clubhouse’s nearest neighbors, quickly stepped up to offer his support in representing the neighborhood’s interests and working with Adams to gauge how much noise is too much.

Speaking on what could be described as a contentious relationship in the past, Adams said he believes the two parties can work things out.

“I’m glad. Tom’s probably the most reasonable man in the community to deal with, and I think under other circumstances we would be friends,” Adams said. “I really do look forward to working with him on this.”

The Clubhouse was scheduled to go before the Planning Commission for a revocation hearing after neighbors surrounding the business wrote a letter to the county stating the restaurant wasn’t complying with its use permit.

The restaurant became the target of calls to sheriff’s deputies from residents complaining of loud music and late operation.