Neighbors of the popular Mo’s Pub in Langley will never be happy that it even exists, but they should realize that theirs is not the only concern that matters.

The city has gone out of its way to satisfy concerns of neighbors, including parking restrictions on pub customers. Presently, the City Council is considering Planning Advisory Board recommendations that aim to further meet concerns of neighbors while giving the pub room to operate profitably.

Last week, City Planner Jeff Arango presented a number of proposed new rules governing all pub-like establishments, including strictly limiting the number of hours and days that live, amplified music can be staged and requiring buffers between the pub and neighbors.

The restrictions seemed logical enough, but not so tight that they would put Mo’s out of business. Mo’s was involved in the regulation setting and gave up a lot in an effort to peacefully coexist with a few neighbors on Second Street.

Neighbors are still concerned, however, that regulations will not be enforced, and that pub customers will continue to make noise as they exit the establishment. Well, the fact is that people’s habits can’t be entirely controlled in a free society and a cop can’t be stationed outside the pub every Friday and Saturday when it closes at midnight. However, pub customers can be advised of the noise concerns and most would behave accordingly. Langley isn’t exactly a redneck town.

With a town of only 1,200 souls, a place like Mo’s Pub with good beer, good food and good dart competition is an asset. It gives friends a place to gather and have a good time. Many can walk home from its central location, lessening the problem of drinking and driving.

While we can sympathize with the neighbors, a well regulated pub is not a radical use for commercial property adjoining residential property. On the whole, it’s an asset to the town. It makes up for the gaping hole left when the historic Dog House Tavern closed on First Street several years ago.

The city council should do its best to meet residents’ concerns while keeping in mind that they can’t satisfy all the people all the time. Mo’s has done about all it can to be a good neighbor and the council should do what’s best for the entire town. That means keeping our only pub open for the people to enjoy, and to add a few badly-needed bucks to the town’s coffers.