Council quiets noise

Barbara Diamond

Church bells can still chime in Laguna, but not too loudly.

The City Council unanimously approved amendments to the city’s

General Plan Noise Element and Noise Ordinance that limits decibel

levels but exempts city-sponsored and other specially permitted

events. The ordinance also sets an unprecedented start time of 7:30

a.m. for construction projects.

City Manager Ken Frank said virtually all other communities

recognize a 7 a.m. start time.

“We are also the only city that doesn’t allow construction on

Saturday,” Mayor Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider said. “I’ve broken the

law and my husband has broken the law. Saturday is the only day we

can work on our home.”

Normal maintenance is allowed, including cutting tree branches and

mowing lawns. If a neighbor complains, however, the resident is

likely to get a visit from the police.

The amendments must be certified by the California Coastal

Commission before they go into effect. All amendments to Chapter 25

of the Municipal Code require a Local Coastal Plan amendment.

A public workshop and three public hearings were held on the

proposed changes.

The majority of complaints at the hearings about excessive noise

came from neighbors of the Festival of Arts and Bluebird Park, where

a summer concert series is held.

Pearson-Schneider and Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman will work with

North Laguna residents to try to resolve some of their concerns.

Councilwoman Jane Egly volunteered to work with Bluebird Park

residents.

Noise emanating from schools or school play yards are exempt from

the local ordinance because schools are under district, not municipal

jurisdiction. Noise that disturbs schools or similar institutions,

however, is unlawful.

Noise consultant Vince Mestre said the amended ordinance sets

standards established by the city Planning Commission and would be

useful to resolve neighborhood disputes. Decibel levels in dispute

are to be measured on the neighbor-affected space, not from the site

of the noise.

Noise is defined in the municipal code as any unwanted sound or

sound which is undesirable because it interferes with speech and

hearing, or is intense enough to damage hearing or is otherwise

annoying. The state Noise Control Act defines noise as “excessive

undesirable sound.”