Coral Gables leaders want to make it clear that stand-alone nightclubs are not allowed in the city.

At Tuesday's meeting, the commission agreed to consider -- at its Nov. 17 meeting -- amending the zoning code to strengthen the city's restrictions against restaurants that double as nightclubs.

``This is nothing new,'' Mayor Don Slesnik said in an interview. ``It just seemed like there needed to be more clarity.''

The city's code says that alcohol sales at restaurants can not exceed 49 percent of the business' total sales. The code also restricts casinos.

The new law would specifically say that nightclubs are considered a prohibited use.

``It is not clear in the code,'' Planning Director Eric Riel said at the meeting. ``Nightclubs cannot be the primary use.''

For more than a year, residents who live in downtown Coral Gables have complained that noise emanates from restaurants that stay open late serving food and drinks. Over the past few years, a growing number of people have moved into downtown condos, causing the collide.

One of the restaurants mentioned by commissioners was Fritz & Franz Bierhaus, which has a large outdoor seating area.

Fritz & Franz owner Harald Neuweg said he has made an effort to reduce noise outside, but most recently was told by the city that the restaurant can't have live music on Friday.

``It has really hurt business,'' Neuweg said. ``I think this is all because a few people decided to complain.''

Riel could not be reached for comment after the commission meeting.

Neuweg said he was disappointed the city did not inform him or other business owners that the nightclub code was going to be discussed. No business owners were at the meeting to comment on the proposed tougher code.

``Our input should count,'' he said. ``We are the ones that are affected by the changes.''

Commissioner Wayne ``Chip'' Withers questioned whether JohnMartin's Irish Pub & Restaurant would fall under the new ordinance. City staffers said they would research that before the next meeting.

City leaders say there should be a balance between a vibrant downtown and a place where people can sleep without loud noise.

``We really gotta be careful,'' Withers said.

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