NEWPORT BEACH : New Noise Control Ordinance on Hold

A noise control ordinance that officials have struggled for months to perfect has been put on the back burner just when it seemed poised for final approval.

The City Council gave preliminary approval to the ordinance on Nov. 14 despite mixed opinions over provisions for leaf blowers and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning units. But before the ordinance won final approval, the council got three new members who said they have fielded complaints from the community.

Residents complained that the ordinance was too complex and business representatives said it was too restrictive and would put a burden on businesses--particularly a ban on use of gas-powered leaf blowers within 200 feet of residential areas.

Newport Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce President Richard Luehrs told the council that although the chamber had made no formal comment on the plan until Monday’s meeting, its members have been monitoring the ordinance’s progress through five public hearings.

The leaf blower ban would hurt the city’s eight commercial centers--Corona del Mar, Mariner’s Mile, Balboa Island, Central Balboa, West Newport, Old Newport Boulevard, Cannery Village and McFadden Square--because the already struggling neighborhood centers are within 200 feet of residential areas. Businesses there would have to pay more for maintenance, he said.

New Mayor John W. Hedges said the new ordinance should be “understandable, enforceable and . . . accomplish what it is intended to accomplish. If it fails any of those tests, then it’s wasted a lot of time.”

The council voted unanimously to have the Economic Development Committee review the plan before reconsidering it.