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<br />adverse social behavior, cardiovascular problems, stress and loss of sleep. It is difficult to know at <br />exactly what point noise becomes loud enough to cause damage to the ears. The U.S. Environmental <br />Protection Agency has established 70 dBA as a safe average for a 24-hour day, with dBA meaning <br />decibels (sound intensity) measured with the commonly used “A” filter. This level is based only on risk <br />to hearing. (An average washing machine is considered to be at 75 dBA when in use. A typical <br />conversation occurs at about 60 dB.) As the population grows, and there are greater density, infill and <br />mixed uses, the potential increases for community vitality and noise pollution. <br /> <br />Resources on noise pollution include The Right to Quiet Society (http://www.quiet.org/index.htm), <br />Noise Pollution Clearinghouse (http://www.nonoise.org/), and the federal Centers for Disease Control <br />and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hsb/noise/). <br /> <br /> <br />RELATED CITY POLICIES <br /> <br />As referenced above, Eugene Code Chapter 4 addresses certain noise disturbances. <br /> <br /> <br />COUNCIL OPTIONS <br />The City Council may choose to: <br /> <br />1.Take no action at this time. <br /> <br />2.Provide direction for preparation of an ordinance addressing specific issues and noise disturbances, <br /> with a process which could include an additional work session to discuss requirements and <br /> standards, enforcement mechanisms and resource needs. Such an ordinance could be incorporated <br /> into Chapter 6 (Environment and Health) or expand the existing noise standards in Chapter 4 <br /> (Offenses). <br /> <br />3.Direct the City Manager to include noise performance standards on the list of possible land use code <br /> revisions (Chapter 9 update process). <br /> <br /> <br />CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION <br /> <br />The City Manager makes no recommendation at this time. <br /> <br /> <br />SUGGESTED MOTION <br /> <br />There is no suggested motion. <br /> <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS <br /> <br />A. Eugene City Code, Chapter 4, Noise Disturbance Ordinance <br />B. Eugene City Code, January 1995, Chapter 9 Excerpts on Performance Standards (Noise) <br />C. Eugene City Code, 9.2520(20) Noise (Natural Resource Zone) <br /> <br /> <br />FOR MORE INFORMATION <br /> <br />Staff Contact: Mike McKerrow <br />Telephone: 682-5251 <br />Staff E-Mail: mike.j.mckerrow@ci.eugene.or.us <br /> <br /> L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M060816\S060816A.doc <br />