Here's a news flash: Court Street and bars get noisy at night.
If that fact annoys you, either live farther away or talk to the business owner about possible ways to minimize noise if it gets too oppressive.
Those solutions are called common sense and diplomacy. Unfortunately, some people in Athens are a little legislation-happy and think that every problem can be solved with a new law.
The Athens City Planning Commission conducted a hearing last week to hear opinions about legislation to restrict outdoor business seating at night. The hearing was a follow-up to an April council meeting at which Athens City Council passed a resolution asking the commission to force businesses to close outdoor seating at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
That beacon of noise violations, Donkey Coffee and Espresso would be one business affected, would be one business that feels the brunt of such an ordinance. Who is the commission trying to kid?
The solution here is not legislation. It's enforcement of existing code regulations, which would take care of obnoxious noise levels, if, in fact, such noise exists; Broney's Alumni Grill has not violated noise ordinances, according to the lawyer who represents the bar's owners.
The city should address real concerns that have existed forever in Athens, like shoddy enforcement of the housing code, before it considers passing a new ordinance.
Whatever the case, Athens residents should lobby their representatives to refrain from new legislation in favor of code enforcement. Anything more is excessive; anything less is inexcusable.
Editorials represent the views of The Post's executive editors.
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Enforcement, not legislation, is what Athens needs right now
