City Council
MEETING DATE: 3/22/2017
TITLE:
Title
Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending the Code Related to Noise
End
FROM:
Charlie McClendon, City Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council introduce and provide first reading by title only an ordinance amending the Municipal Code related to noise.
Body
BACKGROUND:
In the summer/fall of 2016 staff from the Attorney's office and Code Enforcement began working on possible revisions to the noise ordinance. Enforcement of the existing code had proven to be problematic due to inconsistencies among various sections of the code leading to unrealistic expectations in the community as to what the City has the ability to enforce. Additionally, in September of 2016 Council directed staff to appoint an ad-hoc task force to study issues related to short term vacation rentals in Cathedral City, many of which proved to be related to noise, and to report back to Council with recommendations. Mayor Henry and Councilmember John Aguilar were assigned to work with the task force. The task force began meeting on October 19, 2016 and presented their recommendations to Council during study session on March 8, 2017. Proposed revisions to the noise ordinance, though not developed by the task force, were also presented at that time. Feedback from the community indicated that some felt the proposed decibel levels allowed under that draft ordinance were too permissive. Council indicated a willingness to reduce allowable levels somewhat in response to community feedback, but also felt the code revisions should reflect the nature of our community, which is younger with more children than many of our neighboring communities, and thus requires a certain tolerance for the sounds associated with living in family-oriented neighborhoods.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has developed proposed revisions to the City noise ordinance to eliminate inconsistencies and provide more clarity. ...
Click here for full text