This document discusses strategies for dealing with noise in downtown areas, including establishing permit and complaint processes for businesses, setting time and sound limitations, forming regulatory partnerships, considering acoustic design, and addressing external effects. It was written by Rachel Eberhard, a master's candidate at UNC Chapel Hill studying city and regional planning, as part of a project focused on resolving noise issues in the Glenwood South Hospitality District.
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FINAL - Resolving the Racket
1. Resolving the Racket
Strategies for Dealing with Downtown Noise
Rachel Eberhard | Master¡¯s Candidate | UNC Department of City & Regional Planning
8. Rachel Eberhard
Master¡¯s Candidate, 2016
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Department of City & Regional Planning
Contact: eberhard.rachel@gmail.com
Editor's Notes
#2: Introduction & origin of project (Development & Environmental Management class)
Discuss noise as a development concern, the recent pilot program in Raleigh & look at two other cities that are dealing with similar problems in different ways
#3: Commercial operations can enhance the vitality & culture of urban areas¡ªbut they can also create noise problems
USA Today Poll: Noise is the most common neighbor dispute
Often related to ¡°reverse sensitivity¡± & conflict between incompatible activities
Reverse sensitivity describes the effect that development of one kind may have on activities already occurring in an area
Balance must be achieved between providing for legitimate commercial activities while controlling potential adverse noise effects to reasonable levels
#5: Established in an attempt to address concerns that the outdoor amplification noise permits adversely impacting surrounding residences
The one-year pilot is scheduled to run through November 2015
PERMIT
Hospitality District Entertainment permits will replace Amplified Entertainment and Outdoor Amplified Entertainment permits
Mediation process & escalation
BIZ CONTACT
Also outlines a new approach to resolving complaints
Interactive map provides contact information for permit holders
Allowing for direct communication with the business
TIME & SOUND LIMITATIONS
Provides guidelines for outdoor noise levels
Adjustment made to accommodate venue hours (Fri-Sat, 11PM to 2AM) at 60dBA
#6: Experiencing rapid growth; vibrant music scene
Gained reputation over time as ¡°Dirty 6th¡±
Mecca for bachelor parties, rowdy crowds & difficult venue owners
The difficult is that Alcohol Beverage Control controls what goes on inside, but the city has to deal with what happens outside
Staggered closing hours
Assigning a set number of police officers to patrol area
Ordinance revision to address low-frequency sound (bass)
Outdoor Music Venue (OMV) permitting
Aiming to change the behavior
Consequences for bad actors
#7: During 1980s, the revitalization of downtown Denver started with nightlife & dining options
Increased public development (museums, theatres, parks, etc.) led to more private development
Challenges soon included quelling violence, drug activity & noise from the late night bar crowd
LoDo Neighborhood Association
Good Neighbor Agreements
Street blockades for vehicles
Off-duty officer support & training
Police officers hired by LoDo District, Inc.
¡°The Drunk Tank¡±
#8: REGULATORY
Zoning, ordinances, regulations, etc.
Staggered bar closures
Liquor licensing
?
PARTNERSHIPS
Coalitions with residents, businesses, landlords, etc.
Closely monitor permits for events
Cleanliness & maintenance to sidewalks/storefronts
?
EXTERNAL EFFECTS
Work to attract high-quality tenants
The city purchasing property ? economic development strategy
Need to understand the benefits to achieve buy-in (local musicians, restaurateurs, etc.)
?
ACOUSTIC DESIGN
Architectural & building acoustics (absorptive materials)
Environmental acoustics (waterfalls, green space & vegetation)
FINAL THOUGHTS
Noise ordinances are very difficult to enforce
Neighborhood organization, the police department, and downtown development organization must work together to deal with establishing & maintaining a standard
Residential development is critical for downtown success
Raleigh¡¯s nightlife challenges are good ones to have¡ªit means people are flocking to downtown from outside of the city
The more mixed use, the better
BOTTOM LINE: Strong coalition & partnership are a MUST