PC 091212 - Laserfiche WebLink

Ms. Sadek stated that with respect to the dBA levels and the changes that the PDA and the EVC are recommending, there was no intention on her part to lower the standard from what it currently is and that she thinks it was just an oversight on the part of the Task Force because of the confusion during the vote. Ms. Sadek stated that one of the things that came into play with respect to the Transition Area was that the Task Force wanted to create a buffer to help the residential zone eliminate some of the excessive noise that comes from additional vitality, including traffic and people opening and closing doors. She then indicated that she supports the changes recommended by the PDA and EVC. Andrew Shaper, a Downtown resident, stated that any group who has worked on the Guidelines as hard as this Task Force has worked on it should not be confused by the dBA. He stated that as he understands it, dBA is a logarithmic scale, and the noise is doubled for every 10 dBA, so the difference between 60 dBA and 70 dBA is significant. He indicated that he is not anti -PDA and noting that as well represented, organized, and financed as the PDA seems to be and how successful by the way it is invigorating the Downtown, he inquired why the PDA gets the last word on the Guidelines when the five at -large representatives worked with the rest of the Task Force and had an understanding that included raising the dBA to 74 from 70 in the Core Area and did not really mean the 60 dBA. He procedurally questioned why the PDA and the EVC seem to come in with a last trump card in terms of the work done by the Task Force when they were represented in that Task Force. He pointed out that the residents were not represented on the revision. Mr. Shaper expressed concern about the enforcement of the dBA limits. In connection with the time and spikes in noise, he explained a technical detail, stating that the sound level meters he has used have an A scale and a B scale: one of them is instantaneous and takes every microsecond, and the other integrates electronically: so it is just a matter of specifying that the dBA be measured on the B scale. He inquired how this would be enforced, and if the officer will come out only when there is a complaint. He questioned if the officer is trained or qualified to operate this piece of equipment. Mr. Shaper indicated that he likes living Downtown and generally supports the vitality and the special events, however, having amplified music outside, rock bands, or receptions outdoors until 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. on a work night are a concern to him. He stated that he does not care about what happens indoors, whether a string quartet or the piano plays all night, and asked the Commission to take this into account. He stated that the enforcement responsibility ought to go with the people who benefit most from the advantages of less regulation and suggested putting in a requirement that the business owner monitor and record the noise level so there is a record that can be referred to, rather than calling the police and in the meantime, the DJ has turned down the volume. He indicated that he is not trying to push regulation but just trying to push reasonable hours and noise levels for those who have live every day for 30 years a few blocks from Main Street, which was not the way it is when they first moved there. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, September 12, 2012 Page 18 of 35