Noise ordinance on Commission agenda

Sarasota County staff will recommend Sept. 11 that county commissioners extend the repeal date of an ordinance that sets sound-level restrictions. The one-year extension would give time for staff to consider changes in state legislation regarding open burning, another aspect of the Air and Sound Pollution Ordinance.

According to a memo from Sarasota County Planning and Development Services Executive Director Rob Lewis, staff will ask for commissioners to approve a Sept. 25 public hearing to avoid the Nov. 28 repeal date of the ordinance. An economic impact statement included with the agenda item says there is no fiscal impact from the extension.

County commissioners last month asked for County Administrator Randall Reid to consider alternatives to the section of the ordinance that sets limitations on sound levels emitted by homes or businesses. Reid also recommended adding overtime hours for a code-enforcement officer specializing in sound analysis to the 2013 fiscal year budget.