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219 Mr. Gouldman explained that police recently took decibel readings and the recommendations were made as a result of these readings. The public hearing was opened. Mr. Robert Jordan, 310 E. Main Street, said that he objects to the loud African drums played on the downto~vn mall and feels they interfere with the outdoor cafes. Mr. Jordan said that whatever ordinance is adopted should be applied evenhandedly, including Fridays After Five. Mr. David Frantzen, an attorney representing Brook and Madison Spencer, opposed the proposed ordinance since he feels it is inadequate to protect residents and visitors and does not feel it is balanced, the decibel level is too high, and it does not deal with the issue of adjoining property owners. Mr. Frantzen requested that adoption of a noise ordinance be delayed until further study and discussion can be held. Mr. Eric Farrish, 7315 McClery Court, franchising agent for The Jewish Mother, said that there are six other Jewish Mothers in Virginia, and the owner was very open about the proposal to have live music at the restaurant before it opened. Mr. Farrish said he does not think the proposed ordinance is fair, it singles out The Jewish Mother, and will be detrimental to The Jewish Mother and other business downtown because it is too restrictive and not balanced. Mr. Farrish urged Council to take more time to discuss the issue. Ms. Jill Williams, 109 3rd Street, S.E., said that she appreciates Council taking up the issues, but she cannot support the proposed ordinance because she does not feel it is restrictive enough. Ms. Williams questioned whether enforcement of the ordinance will be complaint driven or whether the police will take the initiative. Ms. Scott LeBeau, Locust Avenue, said that he thinks a subjective approach is better than a decibel level approach. Mr. LeBeau said that the City is one of the greatest noise offenders with their equipment and questioned why leaf blowers are permitted on the downtown mall. Mr. Clyde Cooper, Myrtle Street, Manager of Club 216, said that his club has tried to be good neighbors for the 12 years they have been in business downtown, and he is concerned that the proposed noise ordinance might go too far. Mr. Cooper noted that businesses were in the downtown prior to residents being added. Mr. Cooper said that there are 1,900 members of Club 216, over half of them City residents. Ms. Joan Fenton, 120 W. Main Street, said that part of the cost of doing business is soundproofing and she feels that should be done by The Jewish Mother. Ms. Fenton said that she feels it would be best for downtown for all groups to live together. Ms. Fenton said that she feels the sound level of the proposed ordinance is too high. Mr. Brent Nelson, 214 South Street, noted that South Street has been mostly residential for 100 years. Mr. Nelson said that his recommendation that a committee of staff and citizens be appointed to discuss the noise issue was not acted on, Mr. Nelson said that he feels the 75 decibel level is too high and the ordinance should be effective at I0:00 p.m. Mr. Nelson recommended that the ordinance be deferred and revised. Mr. Fran Lawrence, attorney representing Jennifer Kuhnheim, one of the owners of The Jewish Mother, opposed adoption of the ordinance in the central business district. Mr. Lawrence explained that in 1985 Ms. Kuhnheim created the Coffee Exchange and in the past ten years there has been positive developments downtown. Mr. Lawrence said that The Jewish Mother began playing music in October of 1997, but after receiving complaints about the noise, moved more toward acoustic music. Mr. Lawrence said there is a debate about the architectural ability to control sound and a concern that only downtown is targeted, which has always been commercial, and not West Main Street and the Comer. Mr. Lawrence said he feels it will be impossible to have an entertainment area with the proposed ordinance and he feels a clear statement needs to be made by the Council about downtown and where it is going.