9a. Noise Ordinance CITYOF
q.
cHANBAssEN
690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937-1900 • FAX (612) 937-5739
' MEMORANDUM
TO: Don Chmiel , Mayor
City Council
Don Ashworth, City Manager
FROM: Scott Harr , Public Safety Director
' DATE: June 26 , 1991
SUBJ: Noise Ordinance
- The purpose of this memorandum is to seek direction from the
Council as to whether there is an interest in our pursuing a
noise ordinance.
' BACKGROUND:
It seems that summer is always heralded with noise complaints .
With this being my fourth summer here, I can say that it does
seem that noise complaints are becomming more frequent and
' intense.
My records indicate that noise ordinances have been proposed in
the past , however they have not received the necessary Council
support .
ANALYSIS :
We presently have no noise ordinance. Some construction
agreements with the City contain regulations on hours of opera-
tion. However , remodeling projects, lawn care noise, etc. , are
not regulated. In fact , since the City has had the opportunity
to regulate such noise (either by type or hours) , it has been
' virtually impossible to take action against what we would con-
sider 'unreasonable' noise. Our Planning Department has empha-
-
sized hours of operation on construction agreements, but this has
11 only helped in a portion of the situations.
My records indicate that I have been looking at noise ordinances
from other cities as far back as 1987. For several reasons ,
including concerns about limiting snowmobiling, the City has not
•
Don Chmi el , Mayor
City Council
Don Ashworth, City Manager
June 26 , 1991
Page 2
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supported a noise ordinance to date. I do have model ordinances
and comparitive ordinances in my files to review.
It appears to me that the continuing construction and remodeling
that is occurring in town, combined with increased traffic (not
to mention the population increase) is generating more complaints
about noise. And, as stated above, we have no control over such
• things as certain hours of construction, lawn care noise, etc.
(there are several areas that we are able to control such as
barking dogs , because this is specified in our ordinance) .
RECOMMENDATION: 1
As stated at the outset of this memo, I am seeking guidance from
the Council as to whether there is an interest in pursuing the
possibility of a noise ordinance. If so directed, I would be
happy to assist in such an undertaking. Thank you.
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