Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/264109
FOLLOW-UP CONCERNS In a Feb. 20 email to Thompson, McWhorter, the president of the River Forest Civic Association, expressed some follow-up con- cerns relative to the commission's request that Chambers of Commerce be notified about the proposed changes. If Chamber representatives do not delve into the recom- mended revisions, he pointed out, they might not understand their full scope. "To avoid unwarranted confusion and misun- derstanding of the proposed Ordinance, we strongly request that ALL be informed of the following … facts," he wrote: • The nighttime sound limits would be effec- tive as of 10 p.m., the hour most Florida counties utilize to denote the start of night, he noted. Sarasota County's existing ordi- nance uses 11 p.m. • The nighttime sound limit for mid-range frequencies would drop just 5 decibels, from 75 to 70 (dbA), and it would still be the highest nighttime limit of all Florida counties. • Low frequency — or bass — sound limits would be reduced by just 5 decibels (dbC), also still the highest in all Florida counties. THE ORDINANCE ITSELF Although the Air and Sound Pollution ordi- nance was scheduled to sunset in November 2012, the County Commission approved an initial one-year extension to November 2013. Last fall, the board approved a second exten- sion after Thompson explained that staff felt more public meetings were needed to gain suggestions about changes. Near the end of the revised ordinance that will be advertised for the March 19 public hearing, the sentence, "This article shall be automati- cally repealed on November 18, 2014, unless otherwise amended or ratified by the Board," has been struck out. The notation "Reserved" follows it. % Realtor Susan Phelps tells the County Commission that residents near Bob's Boathouse would have difficulty selling their homes. Photo by Rachel Hackney Sarasota News Leader February 21, 2014 Page 26