Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/115375
Sarasota News Leader March 15, 2013 THE NOISE COMMITTEE At their last meeting, the commissioners gave the green light to staffers to begin working up the requirements for an ad hoc citizens advisory committee to study the existing Noise Ordinance and make recommendations for any changes. Page 26 ation of the regulations to promote more vitality downtown. Establishment of an ad hoc committee would push the issue off the city commissioners' plates until after the May elections. Speaking of noise: The city commissioners Monday are expected to pass on second reading a legally defensible ordinance regulating so-called "boom cars." If noise from an auto can be heard 50 feet away, that is too loud under the new regulation. Barwin is recommending five to seven members for the panel; they would report back to the City Commission within 75 days. The commissioners could name the members, or they could allow Barwin to pick them. MOTE GOES TO COLLEGE In a memo accompanying the agenda, Barwin said he had contacted five people with an interest in the issue, including Mort Siegal, Rich Swier Jr., Peter Fanning, Jill Kaplan and Jay Sparr. Additionally on Monday, the commissioners will be asked to modify the lease of Mote Marine Laboratory to allow creation of college classrooms and science labs. The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee wants to The committee, which would be governed by build educational facilities at the Ann and AlFlorida's Sunshine and Public Records laws, fred Goldstein Marine Mammal Center. would meet about once a week before return- The $991,000 project would create two sciing with its recommendations, if any. ence laboratories. One would be "clean" for At present two city regulations control outdoor sound. One — part of the zoning ordinance — bans amplified sound of any sort; the city has suspended enforcement of that under threat of a constitutional legal challenge. organic chemistry experiments; the other would be a "dirty lab" for ecology education. The classrooms, as well as a study area and two small offices, would be added on the second floor of the marine mammal center. The Mote complex is located in Ken Thompson The second regulation is the so-called Noise Park on City Island. Ordinance, which says entertainment cannot be louder than 75 decibels. It also stipulates While thinking about that neighborhood, the the hours when music can be played. Many commissioners will hear a plan by the Sararesidents of downtown condominiums have sota Sailing Squadron, also located on City objected to outdoor noise, while patrons of Island, to build and manage a kayak storage downtown establishments are urging a relax- facility. %