chrishajer
7th July 2007, 07:05
from: http://www.ouraynews.com/1editorialbody.lasso?-token.folder=2007-07-06&-token.story=158727.112113&-token.subpub=
Public sounds off, new noise regs shelved
by Robb Magley
July 06, 2007
RIDGWAY — Even a second day of hearings wasn’t sufficient to convince officials they had enough understanding of the situation to enact new noise level laws.
“It’s becoming obvious to me this will not be passed in its current form,” said Board of County Commissioners Chairman Don Batchelder, after just over an hour of public comment. “I’m hearing that there are going to be big enough changes (to the draft ordinance) that would require re-publishing and noticing.”
And with that, Ordinance 07-02, concerning noise levels in the unincorporated portions of Ouray County, was tabled indefinitely; the BOCC plans to meet with Sheriff’s personnel and, taking the evening’s comments into consideration, try again later.
Comments at the hearing, held Monday, July 2 at the 4-H Event Center in Ridgway, were as varied as the ways people define “noise.”
Former BOCC member and one-time chairman Alan Staehle appeared in one of his old enduro motorcycle racing jerseys, and pleaded with commissioners to at least pass the part of the ordinance that would restrict OHV noise in the county’s high country.
“I’ve been riding motorcycles for 50 years,” said Staehle, wearing an old “Penton” (KTM) jersey. “I rode in every enduro (dual-sport race) in Colorado at least once. I’m pretty sure I was the first one to take a motorcycle over Black Bear when it opened in 1958.”
Staehle wanted riders to understand that today’s modern off-road motorcycles were powerful enough to enjoy the high passes straight from the dealer — in other words, without modifying stock mufflers to make them louder and presumably earn a little more horsepower.
“When we’re in the back country, we’re part of the environment,” said Staehle. “I’m here to say we don’t need to be an annoying part.”
BOCC members agreed the OHV noise issue on mountain passes needed to be addressed, but by law they could not pass only one part of the ordinance.
Log Hill Mesa residents turned out in force, voicing their opinions on just about anything that could emit sound — from cows to construction, and everything in between.
“A noise restriction, unless it’s the same for everything, is just another tax,” said Dan Choate, noting the myriad exceptions to the ordinance and the equally diverse number of uses that create noise, such as boats, helicopters, and guns. “There’s a lot of things that are quite loud that are use-by-right. It’s just un-American to take them away.”
Sheelaugh Williams, who previously lived on the mesa, noted the increasing population in the county is going to make it harder and harder not to bother neighbors.
“When the pleasurable use of the motorcycles deprives neighbors of the pleasurable use of their property, it’s a problem,” said Williams. “And as we get more and more dense, it’s going to become more of an issue.”
“Noise is noise,” said Craig Cambria, again pointing out the differences in allowable sound by how it was made. “The only difference between an OHV and a street motorcycle is registration. Things should be more consistent.”
“We came here in 2000 for the serenity, not for the motorcycle riding,” said Aleta Jupille. “I don’t want to stop anyone else’s choice, but I’m afraid that my love of the quiet may become something that’s disposable.”
Sheriff Junior Mattivi weighed in as well. “I can see problems,” he said.
Mattivi offered a hypothetical situation where a noise complaint was received about a loud party; as his deputies approach with their sound meter, the revelers see them coming and quiet down.
“Enforcement could be a nightmare,” he added.
At first I thought it was the Denver noise ordinance/law that was shelved but this is clear on the other side of the state. Just shows that the lawmakers will continue making laws even if they can't be enforced.
--Chris
Public sounds off, new noise regs shelved
by Robb Magley
July 06, 2007
RIDGWAY — Even a second day of hearings wasn’t sufficient to convince officials they had enough understanding of the situation to enact new noise level laws.
“It’s becoming obvious to me this will not be passed in its current form,” said Board of County Commissioners Chairman Don Batchelder, after just over an hour of public comment. “I’m hearing that there are going to be big enough changes (to the draft ordinance) that would require re-publishing and noticing.”
And with that, Ordinance 07-02, concerning noise levels in the unincorporated portions of Ouray County, was tabled indefinitely; the BOCC plans to meet with Sheriff’s personnel and, taking the evening’s comments into consideration, try again later.
Comments at the hearing, held Monday, July 2 at the 4-H Event Center in Ridgway, were as varied as the ways people define “noise.”
Former BOCC member and one-time chairman Alan Staehle appeared in one of his old enduro motorcycle racing jerseys, and pleaded with commissioners to at least pass the part of the ordinance that would restrict OHV noise in the county’s high country.
“I’ve been riding motorcycles for 50 years,” said Staehle, wearing an old “Penton” (KTM) jersey. “I rode in every enduro (dual-sport race) in Colorado at least once. I’m pretty sure I was the first one to take a motorcycle over Black Bear when it opened in 1958.”
Staehle wanted riders to understand that today’s modern off-road motorcycles were powerful enough to enjoy the high passes straight from the dealer — in other words, without modifying stock mufflers to make them louder and presumably earn a little more horsepower.
“When we’re in the back country, we’re part of the environment,” said Staehle. “I’m here to say we don’t need to be an annoying part.”
BOCC members agreed the OHV noise issue on mountain passes needed to be addressed, but by law they could not pass only one part of the ordinance.
Log Hill Mesa residents turned out in force, voicing their opinions on just about anything that could emit sound — from cows to construction, and everything in between.
“A noise restriction, unless it’s the same for everything, is just another tax,” said Dan Choate, noting the myriad exceptions to the ordinance and the equally diverse number of uses that create noise, such as boats, helicopters, and guns. “There’s a lot of things that are quite loud that are use-by-right. It’s just un-American to take them away.”
Sheelaugh Williams, who previously lived on the mesa, noted the increasing population in the county is going to make it harder and harder not to bother neighbors.
“When the pleasurable use of the motorcycles deprives neighbors of the pleasurable use of their property, it’s a problem,” said Williams. “And as we get more and more dense, it’s going to become more of an issue.”
“Noise is noise,” said Craig Cambria, again pointing out the differences in allowable sound by how it was made. “The only difference between an OHV and a street motorcycle is registration. Things should be more consistent.”
“We came here in 2000 for the serenity, not for the motorcycle riding,” said Aleta Jupille. “I don’t want to stop anyone else’s choice, but I’m afraid that my love of the quiet may become something that’s disposable.”
Sheriff Junior Mattivi weighed in as well. “I can see problems,” he said.
Mattivi offered a hypothetical situation where a noise complaint was received about a loud party; as his deputies approach with their sound meter, the revelers see them coming and quiet down.
“Enforcement could be a nightmare,” he added.
At first I thought it was the Denver noise ordinance/law that was shelved but this is clear on the other side of the state. Just shows that the lawmakers will continue making laws even if they can't be enforced.
--Chris