Ohio University's Student Senate considered the possible components for a new sound ordinance being considered by the City of Athens.
Although the city passed a nuisance party ordinance over the summer, the new ordinances are more specific to what types of party behavior are not acceptable.
The proposed ordinances would add restrictions on noise, stages, time limits on outside concerts and the number of people on roofs of Athens residences, as a response to last spring's tumultuous street fests.
While the nuisance party ordinance was useful, it does not address many of the concerns raised after last Palmerfest, said Robin Jones, senator for off-campus life. She noted issues such as noise complaints and over-filling roofs, which neighbors cannot complain about during the day unless they have a specific address for police to visit.
There isn't anything that says
'you can't have this many people on the roof ' said Killian Evans, the university life senator.
Suggestions included issuing permits for outdoor concerts and placing time restriction on their duration. Senators noted a concert stage assembled during the 2009 Palmerfest, which did not have a permit and held concerts for hours on end.
Some senators questioned the necessity of more ordinances on student neighborhoods.
Could we look at solutions other than extra ordinances? said Senate President Robert Leary.
Women's' Affairs Commissioner Liz Herron said community assistants could mitigate problems, and neighborhood discussions could be more useful if the problems revolve solely around student neighborhoods during fest season.
Other suggestions were limiting the number of people allowed on a roof, and utilizing community assistants to form agreements on what tolerance individual neighborhoods wish to enforce.
All of the suggestions discussed at the meeting will be presented to city officials at a meeting of February 12.
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Tristan Navera
