1998-06-01 - Laserfiche WebLink

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220 Mr. Mike Resinski, 110 E. Main Street, said that there were 198 residential units downtown in 1990 and that this residential community is ,Atal to the downtown mall. Mr. Resinski said he has not seen The Jewish Mother make attempts to be a good neighborhood. Mr. lVlike Webb, 1852 Westview Road, said that he lives dose to fraternity houses and if the ordinance is adopted, it should cover the University as well. Mr. Webb noted that years ago the downtown area was dark and dead and now it is full of life. Mr. Webb said that enacting the proposed ordinance would send a negative message to businesses. Ms. Slaughter noted that the current noise ordinance does apply to fraternity houses. Mr. Lee Danielson, owner of a business at 218 West Main Street, said that soundproofing can be successfully done to control noise. Mr. Danielson said that The Jewish Mother has done a great job in adding to the.downtown mall. Mr. Danielson said that the ordinance, to the extent needed, should be more broad based and subjective, but needs more discussion. Mr. Robert Tobey, 1 I40 E. Market Street, said that the proposed ordinance would put businesses downtown at a competitive disadvantage with other commercial areas. Mr. Jock Yellott, 311 E. Market Street, asked what the penalty would be for violation of the ordinance, and said that as a practical matter he feels it is hard to enforce decibel levels. Mr. Waldo Jaquith, 100 South Street West, said that the ordinance appears to be about The Jewish Mother who has not been willing to do anything to help the situation. Mr. Jaquith said that, if adopted, the ordinance should have a lower decibel level. As there were no further speakers, the public heating was closed. Mr. Gouldman said that the penalty for violation of the ordinance would be a Class IV misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $250 for each offense, and enforcement could be either complaint driven or by the police. Mr. Gouldman explained that the ordinance would apply across the board within the geographic area, except for the exemptions listed. Mr. Gouldman noted that the exemptions in the existing noise ordinance were required by the General Assembly. Mr. Gouldman explained that he has discussed the proposed ordinance with the Commonwealth's Attorney office, and they prefer an objective decibel level approach. Ms. Daugherty said that good ideas have been addressed and she would like to think through the issue further and to have a demonstration on the mall of noise levels. Ms. Richards said she would tike to research ordinances from other places. Ms. Richards asked what levels were obtained by the police, and asked for more information on the success of other places in containing their music. Mr. Cox said there is no substitution for civility and being a good neighborhood, and he would like to see att parties get together so there would not be a need for an ordinance. Mr. Toscano said that in the end the ordinance may not solve the problem and may create others. Mr. Toscano said he would like to see private individuals prevented from plugging into the City's electrical outlets on the downtown mall. Mr. Toscano asked if window replacement would qualify for historic preservation funds. Ms. Slaughter said that it is wonderful having businesses and entertainment downtown, but noted that the City has also encouraged residential units. Ms. Slaughter said she would prefer to solve the problem without an ordinance, but thinks that Council will adopt one if something is not worked out. Ms. Slaughter said she agrees that the leaf blower noise needs to be addressed as well.