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Planning Commission Approves Draft Noise Ordinance By Mark McGuigan July 17 -- As news of the tragedy at the Farmers Market reverberated throughout the city, a subdued Planning Commission went quietly to work Wednesday night, unanimously approving a much-altered draft noise ordinance after hours of deliberation. In seeking "significant changes" to the draft, commissioners spent three-and-a-half hours poring over a document that included a supplemental report from City planners as well as noise readings from City consultants, before making a final list of recommendations and amendments that will go before the City Council next Tuesday. Even Downtown did not escape the all-encompassing document, as commissioners recommended dropping the blanket exemption currently afforded the area designated a "mixed-use zone." "I would suggest that staff surely, in its ingenuity, could craft an overlay on noise issues for Downtown that is sensitive to the particular mixture of use," said Commissioner Geraldine Moyle. "Even block-to-block changes." The addition of a supplemental report once again highlighted the complexity of an ordinance created to curb noise pollution in Santa Monica. Throughout the night, new issues continued to spill beyond the original 7,400-word document drafted by City officials. Commissioners insisted that the City play by its own rules on a day-to-day basis, emphasizing that the 8 a.m. "opening salvo" -- a reference to the noise created by City employees initiating work for the City -- be adhered to by utilities and construction alike. "Wherever you set a beginning time, you’re inviting ‘noise creep’ to occur," said Commissioner Moyle. "I’d like to see proof that it’s impossible to collect trash at 8 a.m." In addition to recommendations about the usual issues -- quantifying noise levels, handling amplified noise in parks and controlling the behavior of rambunctious bar patrons -- the notion of education and enforcement framed the evening’s discussions. "We heard over and over about lack of enforcement, so if there are no teeth in this, the whole exercise is kind of pointless," said Commissioner Barbara Brown. "Part of that has to involve the police department if we’re looking to them to be the frontline of enforcement," she said. "It’s a question of education, but it’s also a question of having them buy into it and be on board with it so they see that as part of their job description." Although few members of the public attended the meeting, representatives from the Citizens Task Force for Noise Abatement (CTFNA) were on hand to ensure that the commission understood what the ordinance meant to the people of Santa Monica. "I think this draft has a lot of mistakes, a lot of flaws and a lot of misdirection," said Anita Holcomb, before the commission made its recommendations. "This is not what we’ve been waiting four years for." As if to demonstrate the impact the task force has on proceedings, the late arrival of Dan Stuart -- the voice of the CTFNA -- prompted an immediate cessation of all discussion among commissioners to allow him time to speak. "California law is very specific about what constitutes a public nuisance," Stuart reminded commission members. "If it’s disturbing a number of people, then it’s a violation of state law." Stuart went on to thank City officials for all their hard work and for responding to "every question and every email" -- an about-face from the previous meeting when some commission members chided City officials for not returning phone calls. The voice of the City itself was represented by noise consultant Vincent Mestre, who along with his team, recorded sounds of everyday life from a variety of locations. Most of the readings (see sample below) were taken from properties or residential areas adjoining the noise source and were in clear violation of the current draft ordinance. That fact, Mestre explained, was attributable to the data representing "an unbiased sample." "We went looking for noise," Mestre told commissioners. "Your point is well taken," replied Commissioner Moyle, "But you went looking for noise and it was not hard to find." On approving the draft ordinance, the commission thanked to Dan Stuart of the CTFNA for bringing so many new issues to their attention and to Planning Director Suzanne Frick for responding with so much "organized information." When it came to educating the citizens of Santa Monica about the new ordinance, the commission encouraged sending a loud message to spread the news. "Let people know about it, let people know what we’ve done," Clarke told staff. "Get the word out."
*Little activity at auto-repair shop due in large to proprietor spotting the consultants conducting the tests and ceasing work. **No motor scooter was actually recorded as none could be found -- only background noise in parking structure. |
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