A controversial set of ordinances regulating behavior at outdoor parties and fests will go before Athens City Council Monday in revised form.
The first of the two ordinances calls for a ban on all outdoor amplified sound, including bands and DJs, while the second ordinance called for a ban on people on roofs in residential areas.
Originally, a third ordinance banned temporary stages from residential areas, but an ad hoc committee consisting primarily of Athens residents decided it was unnecessary, given the ban on amplified sound and bands, said Robin Jones, Ohio University's Student Senate commissioner for Off-Campus Life and a member of the committee.
The roof ordinance was also modified from its original form to loosen the restrictions. The ordinance now requires that a house receive a noise complaint or some other problem before residents can be cited for people on the roof.
Unless there's already a problem at the house
police can't cite you Jones said.
Senate President Robert Leary said he is pleased with the change, as it benefits students who like to sunbathe or sit on the roof of their house.
Personally I think if you're paying rent
you should be able to be on your roof if you're being responsible about it
Leary said.
The noise ordinance has drawn criticism from Student Senate, which passed a resolution Feb. 23 to vehemently condemn the resolutions.
City Councilman Kent Butler (D-1) said he has not heard of the new versions of the ordinances, but that he has received a lot of feedback, both from the neighborhood associations supporting the ordinance and other residents who oppose it.
I've received a few e-mails from community members who expressed disdain for the regulations about the band end of the ordinance
Butler said.
Butler declined to comment about the changes, but said he is considering both sides.
I'm keeping an open mind about it all
Butler said.
Leary said he remains staunchly against the noise ordinance.
It just looks like nothing has changed on (the ordinance)
Leary said. It's not really in the interest of safety.
Jones said the ordinances were not designed to be strictly enforced.
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