CALLS FOR COMPROMISE
The owner of the Fly Creek Cafe and a nearby resident debated the noise ordinance before the council at its last meeting. By a 3-2 vote, the council then voted to lower the maximum limit to 65 decibels, but that measure was vetoed a few days later by the mayor. The limit will return to 85 dbs if not over-ridden at the next council meeting (takes 4 votes).
Fly Creek Cafe owner Tricia Niemeyer said all of the city's current noise issues involved her restaurant and called it a "Mexican standoff."
Niemeyer: "... help us find a solution so Fly Creek can live with our neighbors. I have all the complaints ... lived here all my life ... help us find a solution."
Volanta Ave. resident Jim Hoerner said he believed the noise ordinance was written for residential areas and, in the case of his neighborhood, a 85 db limit doesn't work, too high.
Hoerner: "The bottom line should be the protection and welfare of residents ... people on Volanta and Sea Cliff Dr. being most affected ... want to live as normal citizens with peace."
DEMONSTRATION PLANNED
According to its Facebook page, Turn It Up Fairhope, a group opposed to lowering the limits from the current 85 dbs is planning a demonstration tomorrow -- beginning at the Civic Center (5-8PM).
In response to a question posted there by the Times the group replied the council "should never have become involved in the sound business in the first place and the limit should be kept at 85."
A comment posted there asking if setting the limit to 75 dbs would be a suitable compromise has gone
unanswered (so far).
The owner of the Fly Creek Cafe and a nearby resident debated the noise ordinance before the council at its last meeting. By a 3-2 vote, the council then voted to lower the maximum limit to 65 decibels, but that measure was vetoed a few days later by the mayor. The limit will return to 85 dbs if not over-ridden at the next council meeting (takes 4 votes).
Fly Creek Cafe owner Tricia Niemeyer said all of the city's current noise issues involved her restaurant and called it a "Mexican standoff."
Niemeyer: "... help us find a solution so Fly Creek can live with our neighbors. I have all the complaints ... lived here all my life ... help us find a solution."
Volanta Ave. resident Jim Hoerner said he believed the noise ordinance was written for residential areas and, in the case of his neighborhood, a 85 db limit doesn't work, too high.
Hoerner: "The bottom line should be the protection and welfare of residents ... people on Volanta and Sea Cliff Dr. being most affected ... want to live as normal citizens with peace."
DEMONSTRATION PLANNED
According to its Facebook page, Turn It Up Fairhope, a group opposed to lowering the limits from the current 85 dbs is planning a demonstration tomorrow -- beginning at the Civic Center (5-8PM).
In response to a question posted there by the Times the group replied the council "should never have become involved in the sound business in the first place and the limit should be kept at 85."
A comment posted there asking if setting the limit to 75 dbs would be a suitable compromise has gone
unanswered (so far).
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