Commission to hear proposed noise ordinance changes

The last time the City Commission discussed the downtown noise ordinance, residents and commissioners expressed a frustration with businesses perceived to be ignoring the law, and the Sarasota Police Department said the regulations were difficult to enforce.

Tomorrow, commissioners will discuss proposed revisions to that ordinance designed to address those issues. The city attorney’s office worked to rewrite the regulations after a September discussion saw multiple parties share their displeasure with the current rules.

One proposed change would create a restriction on noise that is “plainly audible” from 200 feet away or farther between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. During the September 7 commission meeting, downtown residents said that noise that didn’t exceed the cap of 65 decibels could still be a nuisance.

A provision exists in the current ordinance that says noise that is “plainly audible” from 50 feet or farther creates a violation. Police said the regulation was vague and difficult to enforce, and that any sound violations were usually based on decibel levels.

Another change would create a “chronic offender” designation for businesses with recurring noise violation issues. Chronic offenders will have to work with the city’s department of Neighborhood and Development Services to come up with a noise mitigation plan, including potential restrictions on the hours of noise-producing activity at those businesses. Businesses that do not comply with the prescribed noise mitigation plan face fines between $1,000 and $15,000.

The commission will set a date for a public hearing on the changes if they approve the new language at Tuesday’s meeting.

Also at Tuesday’s commission meeting:

• Commissioners will discuss a proposed Sarasota County ordinance that seeks to restrict solicitation in the county’s public right-of-way. A letter from County Administrator Thomas Harmer says the long-term goal is to create consistent ordinances across municipal boundaries within the county.

• Commissioners will consider adopting a county resolution that would regulate the sale of designer drugs such as synthetic marijuana and bath salts.

• Commissioners will review a draft plan of budgetary objectives for fiscal year 2015.

Contact David Conway at [email protected].