Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/122777
Sarasota News Leader April 19, 2013 the city. The current Sound Control Ordinance (better known as the "Noise Ordinance") dates to 2003, when the Lemon Coast Grill began blasting live music at downtown's new condominiums — intentionally. Page 15 issues with the current ordinance is the fact that callers may remain anonymous when alleging violations. The perceived lack of enforcement was what led Commissioner Paul Caragiulo to back off establishment of an ad hoc sound committee on March 18. During the commission's March 4 meeting, Caragiulo said, "You need to look at it as a land-use issue and a planning issue." "The impetus was music venues being bad neighbors," Dennis Adams told the commissioners. "Now there are more neighbors: 1350 Main; Rivo on Ringling; Plaza at Five Points; 100 Central. There are lots more people with The Downtown Improvement District weighed skin in the game now." in later that month. "We need to decide what we want to be when we grow up," said disLAND USE OR LOUDNESS? trict member Dr. Mark Kaufman. "An enterOne of those "lots more people" is Barwin tainment district? A shopping district? I think himself, who moved here in January to take the residents here have a real problem." the job. "I live downtown and can relate a whole lot to what was said today," he told the One of the tools the city has used in the past commission. "At 2 a.m. when the bars close, is a zoning code provision banning outdoor it's a big issue, often the busiest time for our amplified music. But that tool was broken by the threat of a constitutional challenge; now police department." it hangs in limbo. Restoring it would require a Barwin put the Sarasota Police Department rewriting of that element of the zoning code. on the case in March, increasing the number of officers trained to use sound meters. Now The "Noise Ordinance" is the second tool. 17 people — up from two — are qualified. And It limits the strength of outdoor sound to 75 Barwin told the force to get pro-active instead decibels. The level is measured by police offiof waiting for a complaint. One of the many cers with sound meters. City Commissioner Paul Caragiulo (right) and City Clerk Pam Nadalini listen to City Attorney Robert Fournier during a regular commission meeting. Photo by Norman Schimmel