City to review noise issue again at Tuesday’s council meeting

The City Council will once again visit the issue of noise in the community when it reviews an ordinance during its meeting Tuesday night.

The ordinance, which has not been discussed since April 2015, aims to rewrite the existing limits on noise levels, which were put in place in the 1960s when the city was first incorporated, according to City Manager David Fraser.

"We are trying to update it now and bring better definition to what and when is a violation and how loud people can go," Fraser said. "The one we have now is super ambiguous."

If passed on Tuesday, the new noise mandate will effect everyone, including business owners.

"Do you want us to be a sleepy town where people aren't going to go out of their way to visit for nightlife, or do you maybe want to compromise a little bit and be more of a destination for those cars that are no longer going to be passing by?" Grant Turner, owner of the Dillinger Food and Drinkery and Forge Social House, said when the issue was originally raised. "With the bypass coming through, it's more important than ever that we get Boulder City as a destination."

According to Fraser, during the past year there have been more noise complaints throughout the city. If police want to enforce it, there will be a more objective standard to apply.

In the past, City Council members have reviewed proposals for a new ordinance, but turned them down stating that ambiguity and several unanswered questions within the law's context forced them to hold off on a vote.

The last ordinance presented to the council in December 2014 would have prohibited "unreasonable noise" from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. It also would have prohibited the use of any sound amplification device from a residential or public property that could be heard at least 75 feet away from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.

"If passed this is going to be for the people having parties in their house, or a restaurant having a band playing. Everyone will know the parameters to stay in," Fraser said.

Details of the ordinance to be presented Tuesday have not yet been released.

Contact reporter Juan Diego Pergentili at jpergentili@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow him on Twitter @jdpbcreview.