Item A: Abatement of Noise Pollution

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Abatement of Noise Pollution Meeting Date: August 16, 2006 Agenda Item Number: A Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Mike McKerrow www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5251 ISSUE STATEMENT The City Council has requested this work session to discuss noise pollution, including the type generated by such equipment as leaf blowers, and Eugene’s existing noise standards. BACKGROUND Eugene City Code addresses noise disturbances through standards in Chapter 4 (Offenses), largely administered by the Eugene Police Department. Requirements restrict hours for idling engines, building construction, and other activities to the extent they generate a noise disturbance. A not uncommon call is about loud music; during late night hours (between 10 p.m. one day and 7 a.m. the next), City regulations prohibit amplified sound when it is plainly audible in a dwelling unit that is not the source of the sound. The code provides some exemptions to the standards, for example, sirens and City street repair, and outlines a variance process. These code provisions are included as Attachment A. The City Council last tackled noise pollution during discussion about motor-assisted scooters. A work session was held in September 2004, and the council adopted an ordinance in February 2005 that prohibits operation of a motorized transportation device in a manner “…causing excessive, unnecessary, or offensive noise which disturbs the peace and quiet of any neighborhood or which causes discomfort or annoyance to a reasonable person of normal sensitivity.” Before the revised land use code was adopted in 2001, Eugene also included performance standards for sound emissions in Chapter 9 (Land Use). These standards were difficult to administer, as they required measurements of maximum one-hour equivalent sound pressure levels using sound engineering equipment. The provisions were excised with the code update. They are included as Attachment B. Although this general section was eliminated with the land use code update, standards for the Natural Resource Zone continue to regulate noise for certain inventoried sites (wildlife habitat). This section is included as Attachment C. The City Council 10 years ago discussed noise pollution generated by leaf blowers and similar equipment. In a September 1996 work session, the City Council reviewed research on leaf blower ordinances and restrictions. At that time, only Beverly Hills and Santa Monica were among communities on the West Coast identified as having an outright ban on blowers, while other jurisdictions restricted hours of operation and decibel levels. Although City of Eugene regulations do not specifically deal with leaf blowers, there currently is a prohibition on operating lawnmowers between the hours of 9 p.m. at night and 7 a.m. the following morning. L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M060816\S060816A.doc