The Ojai Planning Commission on Nov. 5 approved Conditional Use Permit CUP‑25006 for Joplin’s restaurant at 715 East Ojai Avenue to allow outdoor live music, string lights and a sunshade, subject to conditions including compliance with the municipal noise standards, shielding for string lights and a one‑year review. The motion passed on a 2–1 roll‑call vote.

Planning staff told the commission the permit request covers live outdoor music on the restaurant’s existing patio (northeast corner of the site), string lights and a sunshade. Staff said the applicant requested music on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday evenings from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and noted the municipal code allows a maximum of 65 decibels between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Staff also described prior permits for outdoor dining at the site and recommended approval with conditions addressing speaker orientation, noise limits and lighting.

“Live outdoor music is written about in the packet” and the application specifically requests live performances, staff said, adding that speakers or amplifiers would be oriented away from the adjacent residence to the east and limited in number. The staff report pointed commissioners to prior approvals for amplified entertainment at other downtown sites and noted those cases often limited amplified sound and set earlier end times; the Joplin’s request would permit music until 10 p.m., later than some previous permits.

Britney Haskins Nying, identified herself as a co‑owner of Joplin’s and told the commission the restaurant normally closes at 8 p.m., so music after 8 p.m. would be rare and mainly for occasional special events. “When we use terms like rock and roll ... we’re referring to the breadth of rich musical history,” she said, adding the venue’s intention is small, mostly acoustic ensembles that allow “normal conversation at the dining table.” She said the business opened July 1 and would accept reasonable conditions related to sound monitoring or hours.

Speakers at the public hearing expressed divided views. Neighbor Larry Steingold urged the commission to consider precedent and the “slippery slope” of incremental approvals; he recommended tighter limits or event‑based allowances. Member of the public Bill Miley urged pretesting and post‑approval monitoring with digital meters and reminded the commission that the city’s noise ordinance differentiates business and residential decibel limits. Nearby property owner Carl Walk and other residents supported the permit, saying the restaurant has enlivened the east end of downtown and that additional lighting has improved safety on a dark corner.

During deliberations commissioners and staff discussed several specific conditions. The commission added language to require that all string lights carry the dark‑sky shields required by the municipal code, that the existing string lights extending onto the front (building) be included on the approved site diagram or be removed, and that the commission conduct a one‑year review of the CUP to check for complaints or documented violations. Staff reminded the commission that a CUP runs with the land but may be brought back for amendment or revocation if conditions are not met.

The final roll call on the motion to approve the CUP with the added conditions was: Commissioner Rai Schmidt, yes; Commissioner Chesley, yes; Vice Chair Murphy, no. Chair Judy announced the item approved and extended “congratulations” to Joplin’s.

The commission’s action allows the restaurant to host live music under the conditions adopted; enforcement of noise limits remains complaint‑driven but staff said the city is expanding proactive compliance checks and plans a second code compliance officer. The one‑year review will give the commission an explicit opportunity to reassess operations if community concerns arise.