01 - Laserfiche WebLink

Andrew Shaper said he very much appreciated the effort of the task force and all those involved. He said he enjoys the vitality of living downtown and generally supports the recommendations. He did however feel that the guidelines failed to satisfactorily address the issue of enforcement, which is reactive rather than proactive. He suggested that businesses providing outdoor amplified music be required to monitor noise levels hourly and recommended several inexpensive devices or apps for doing so. Karla Brown said she attended the Planning Commission field trip and, while they were able to mitigate the sound to 60 decibels in the residential district, the general consensus was that the method employed was not an effective measurement tool. She said the guidelines did not appear to address the idea of noise impacts on adjacent businesses. She conducted her own real life test and found it difficult to hold a conversation when the adjacent business was hosting loud outdoor music. She said she supported the idea of the buffer zone, for noise as well parking, traffic, and the ambient noise created by the hustle and bustle of an active downtown. She asked if the expanded hours for alcohol service would require that restaurants also make food service available during these hours. She also asked why Thursday, which is traditionally a work and school night, was granted the same expanded noise guidelines as Friday and Saturday evenings. Jerry Hodnefield said the task force has done a marvelous job balancing all the forces in play. He said he and his family fully support the guidelines as recommended by the EVC and without the changes proposed by staff. Brenda Sauter said she attended all but the first two task force meetings, was extremely impressed by staff's work and that she found the Planning Commission's participation particularly helpful. She noted there are a significant number of downtown businesses that already have the ability to serve alcohol until 11 p.m. or later, yet they choose to close earlier. She said she was grateful to City staff who gave equal weight to the comments made by residents and homeowners, despite the fact that they were grossly underrepresented on the task force. She asked the Council to approve the guidelines, as recommended by staff. Mike Hosterman said he supports the guidelines as both a downtown business owner and the PDA President. He called attention to the differences between staff's recommendation and that of the EVC and PDA. He noted that the depth of the transition area along Peters Avenue really only effects noise levels in the core area, as the noise level must be 60 decibels at the residential line no matter where it is. He also stressed that this is reduction from the 70 decibels that are currently allowed in the downtown and under Section 9.04.040 of the City's Noise Ordinance. He asked that the Council revert to the EVC and PDA recommendations with respect to these two items. Gene Finch said he lives downtown and has personal experience with increasing noise issues in the area. He applauded everyone's efforts in developing the guidelines but said he had particular issue with the modification of allowable noise levels. He said that late night noise, coupled with the abuse and destruction of his personal property, is an exceptionally frustrating experience. He has reported the issue several times over the years but the local police can only do so much. He asked the noise consultant to address how noise levels are calculated from a particular location. Laura Olson said remaining relevant and vibrant is a critical issue for the downtown. She said the PDA fully supports and is eager to implement the guidelines, as recommended by the EVC and PDA. Janice Phalen, EVC and Task Force member, said she endorsed the guidelines as recommended by the EVC and PDA. She particularly commended modifications to the alcohol service hours and the simplified CUP process. 10