St. Pete Seashore holds off on creating new noise ordinance after outcry over impacts to dwell music

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The talk over dwell music in St. Pete Seashore struck a excessive observe in current months, with discuss of a stricter noise ordinance that would have ended some types of amplified music as early as 7 p.m. On Tuesday night time, metropolis leaders made it clear: For now, the music will play on (inside motive).

The backstory:

The town had floated the thought of earlier “quiet hours” after citing difficulties implementing the present ordinance. The problem to deal with residents noise complaints pertains to the distinction in relative sound somewhat than the decibel sound. 

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The town’s present guidelines have a 65 decibel restrict throughout the day and a 55 decibel restrict at night time. It additionally prohibits most amplified music between 10 p.m. and seven a.m. Workers famous they typically obtain complaints the place the noise is considerably greater than the background noise, however not essentially in violation of the decibel ordinance. 

However dozens of residents, restaurant house owners and musicians stuffed metropolis corridor, arguing an early curfew may devastate tourism and the native hospitality business.

“We’re going to lose some huge cash, and we’re going to lose lots of enjoyable. This place is a catastrophe. We don’t also have a grocery retailer. Allow us to have some enjoyable,” stated long-time seashore resident, Larry Levine.

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Many stated they have been blindsided by the proposed enforcement hour beginning at 7 p.m., which was a part of a presentation given to the town fee at their July assembly. 

“I’ve lived right here my entire life I like St. Pete Seashore.  I’m a musician on the seashore,” stated musician Mia Hartley. “Don’t put language in something that’s not being critically thought-about, that blows my thoughts.”

Nobody on the assembly spoke in favor of stricter guidelines.

What they’re saying:

Longtime resident Jeffery Banell instructed metropolis leaders that sources ought to be centered on restoration, not new noise restrictions.

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“It’s time to let it go. What we had labored simply superb,” Banell stated. “I don’t see a must waste worthwhile time and sources on a noise ordinance after we try to get well from a hurricane that devastated this neighborhood.”

Dig deeper:

St. Pete Seashore Mayor Adrian Petrila closed the assembly by suggesting a compromise: As a substitute of drafting a brand new ordinance, the town will give attention to implementing the one already on the books. Which means figuring out repeat offenders and addressing drawback properties instantly.

Petrila really helpful giving the town till January 1 to develop an enforcement plan, then evaluating the way it works by the height spring tourism season.

Vice Mayor Karen Marriott stated that was the very best path ahead.

“I believe we at all times should be conscious of what drawback are we making an attempt to resolve? If we’ve an ordinance on the books that may clear up our drawback, and we simply aren’t implementing it, then creating a brand new ordinance isn’t essentially the right reply,” she stated. 

What’s subsequent:

No less than till subsequent yr, St. Pete Seashore will maintain off on any new noise restrictions because it evaluates the effectiveness of its present ordinance.

The Supply: Sources for this report embody St. Pete Seashore fee assembly, feedback from residents and metropolis commissioners, previous conferences, metropolis displays on the subject posted on the town’s web site and assembly minutes.

Pinellas County

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