Community noise ordinance drafting by a city ad-hoc noise committee

Through motivation by a city councilman, Charles Petree, an ad-hoc committee was formed to review existing city noise-related codes. Representation included city council staff, the health, zoning, and police departments, an acoustical consultant, the industrial commission and building association, the society of professional engineers, the electric company, and a private citizen. This body met many times over one year to review codes and ordinances. Recommendations included consolidating all noise related codes and ordinances into one addendum to the City Code. Additions against squealing tires, limits on motorboat noise, and the replacement of octave-band limits for manufacturing districts with Leq limits along common residential/institutional/commercial/manufacturing property lines were made. The police department concluded that the existing muffler ordinance requiring “a muffler in good working condition with baffle plates …” was satisfactory for enforcement. These recommendations—to be detailed in the presentation—are being submitted to the City Council for action. Airport noise, as it affects land use and zoning actions, will be treated during calender year 1980.