SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — A long and controversial meeting was held Tuesday night at the Sarasota City Commission as several residents weighed in on their opinions as to what a bar, nightclub, or restaurant should be defined as and where they can go.

The commission voted on two different ordinances: one that determined the definitions of what a bar, a nightclub and restaurant is, and another ordinance that determines where they can go.

Both passed by 4-1 votes.

Multiple residents showed up to speak at the special-called meeting. Everyone who spoke was against the proposed ordinances.

“Have you ever heard anybody say I love Sarasota, but there’s not enough bars?” resident Dan Lobeck said. “These are certain special interests that stand to profit from the ability to put bars and nightclubs in places that are not allowed today.”

“Open us up to a great deal of future bars and outside bars that will allow for greater noise, more violence, more public harm,” another speaker at the meeting said.

Commissioners ended up clarifying the definitions through amendments, like an indoor bar has enclosed walls.

If the doors and windows are capable of opening up like a whole wall, it would be considered outdoor.

A nightclub is defined as having live and or amplified music that exceeds defined decibel levels.

“The two amendments, the two changes that we’re making tonight were my big sticking points on first reading and recognizing it’s not perfect, but what is?” Commissioner Debbie Trice said.

For determining where these establishments can go, commissioners voted for the proposed ordinance, which they said does not really change things.

Residents were concerned about bar after bar being opened.

“But this proposal, the majority of commissioners want to turn downtown Sarasota into another Ybor City,” Lobeck said.

Other concerns were brought up, such as noise.

“Crime is a big concern, assaults, DUIs,” Lobeck said.

Another concern was bars being opened up right next to resident’s homes.

“If you bring noise a block away from me, I can assure you I, and people a mile away, will be able to hear it,” another speaker said.

Commissioners said there are restrictions, like new bars cannot open within 500 feet from each other or from a residence.

According to the commission, existing establishments are grandfathered in, for example, if a bar already exists near a residential area.