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<br /> <br />ECC <br />UGENE ITY OUNCIL <br />AIS <br />GENDA TEM UMMARY <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Public Hearing: An Ordinance Concerning Noise Disturbances; Amending Sections <br />4.083, and 4.084 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Adding Sections 6.750 and 6.755 <br />to that Code <br /> <br /> <br />Meeting Date: February 20, 2007 Agenda Item Number: 4 <br />Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Mike McKerrow <br />www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5251 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />ISSUE STATEMENT <br /> <br />The City Council discussed concerns about noise pollution generated by a variety of sources, including <br />leaf blowers, during an August 2006 work session, and directed the City Manager to prepare an <br />ordinance proposing additional restrictions in the Eugene City Code. <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />In 1996, the City Council discussed noise pollution generated by leaf blowers and similar equipment, <br />but did not adopt a ban or restrictions on noise and use. <br /> <br />Before the revised Land Use Code was adopted in 2001, Eugene included performance standards for <br />sound emissions in Chapter 9 (Land Use). Compliance was promoted by the Planning and Development <br />Department, and the more common complaints involved home heating/cooling units and mechanical <br />equipment on commercial and industrial properties. The standards were difficult to administer and were <br />removed from the code, with specific noise restrictions retained for the Natural Resource Zone. Other <br />noise restrictions can be found in Chapter 4 (Offenses). However, noise pollution remains a lower <br />priority for Police enforcement, with most police responses limited to amplified music and similar <br />disturbances. <br /> <br />In 2005, the council adopted an ordinance prohibiting operation of a motorized transportation device in a <br />manner “…causing excessive, unnecessary, or offensive noise which disturbs the peace and quiet of any <br />neighborhood or which causes discomfort or annoyance to a reasonable person of normal sensitivity.” <br /> <br />Most recently, during the City Council’s August 2006 work session, officials discussed a proposed ban <br />on leaf blowers and mulch blowers. While rejecting an outright ban, the council asked for an ordinance <br />that included restrictions on time, duration and location of use for leaf blowers, similar to those in other <br />jurisdictions. The council also discussed the impacts of commercial and industrial noises in residential <br />neighborhoods, and directed staff to review the existing code for other possible gaps. <br /> <br />Defining Noise Pollution <br />Many consider noise pollution a byproduct of a growing population, density and mixed uses -- and the <br />sounds of mechanization. However, at community, state, national and international levels, numerous <br /> <br /> L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070220\S0702204.doc <br /> <br />