Athens City Council members now can debate their next actions to limit noise from outdoor operations like bar patios on Court Street.
The Athens Planning Commission declined to recommend a proposed ordinance to Council that would require all businesses in the B2-D zoning area near the north end of Court Street to close their outdoor operations at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at midnight on Friday and Saturday.
Planning Commission Chairwoman Chris Fahl, Mayor Paul Wiehl and Service-Safety Director Paula Horan-Moseley opposed forwarding the proposed ordinance to Council. Members Harry Kaneshigi and Nicholas Bittner did not attend yesterday's meeting.
The public hearing (two weeks ago) put forth the idea that this is a very large hammer for a very small nail
Fahl said of the zoning ordinance.
Athens City Council can overrule the Planning Commission's rejection of the zoning limits with at least six votes.- Athens Police Capt. Tom Pyle said.
Properly enforcing an updated noise ordnance would require buying decibel meters, which cost about $350 per unit, and $400 calibration equipment, which can be used with more than one meter.-
17
Archives
Rebecca Black
