How loud is too loud? Residents weigh in on proposed noise ordinance changes
The first of several community meetings focused on proposed changes to El Paso’s noise ordinance was held Tuesday evening at the Mission Valley Regional Command.
Environmental compliance manager Karl Rimkus told ABC-7 the current noise ordinance relies on a decibel reader to determine if someone is in violation.
“It’s tied to specific zones that are defined and specific decibels that are allowed within each zone,” Rimkus said.
Officials said the proposed changes would include a better definition of what qualifies as a nuisance. It would also look at other factors such as time of day and surroundings.
Rimkus said over the years the department has gotten input from residents saying the ordinance is challenging to understand, so they are creating a new noise ordinance.
“We looked to other cities like Lubbock and Corpus Christi who explained some activities in plain English that would describe what a nuisance is, and at what time of day, so it relies much less on decibel readings and more just on real world conditions,” Rimkus said.
Officials said one of the reasons for the proposed changes is a trend happening in El Paso bars and restaurants. Because of our warm weather, some establishments are having live bands play on their patios. And often the music plays late at night, even after midnight, within earshot of residents.
One of the proposed changes would be for the bar or restaurant to apply for a permit for the outdoor music played after 10 p.m. Residents will get a say on whether or not the permit is approved.
Residents at Tuesday’s community meeting gave their suggestions to city officials. Many agreed the current ordinance is ineffective and welcomed change.
“With the ordinance that they have right now, there is really not much that you can do. And it is like I said, we call and call and call and sometimes it doesn’t get done. Maybe not until they get tired. or they fall asleep, and the music goes on until 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning,” said Mission Valley resident Ana Duenez.
Lower Valley resident Faviola Lopez hopes more people come to the community meetings being held throughout the month of April.
“My concern is that for the Mission Valley residents to get involved in this and to be included. For this new proposal regarding the noise ordinance that will simplify the method for us to report and for it to be enforced,” Lopez said.
“I think it’s great,” Margaret Estrada said.
Estrada is no stranger when it comes to dealing with loud neighbors.
In 2016 she told ABC-7 bars popping up right behind near her backyard and in the area were keeping her up until 3 a.m.
“It is so loud … so loud,” Estrada said.
Estrada said the problem really begins when there’s live bands performing at the bars’ outside patio.
“You know live music with all the instruments? It carries,” Estrada said.
“Now at a lot of establishments, they have outdoor seating areas where they play amplified sound after 10 o ‘clock,” Rimkus said.
Rimkus said they have a plans for establishments that have music outside of their businesses.
“So what were proposing is establishing permits for businesses that want to do that,” Rimkus said.
There’s a catch though.
“Nearby residents will actually weigh in on the permit being issued,” Rimkus said.
Estrada has one message for the City Council before they see the final ordinance.
“If they have the time to come on a Friday or Saturday and just park around here, listen to the music, and see what we go through, that will be the only way of knowing how bad it is,” Estrada said.
Staff’s recommendations, which will be made to City Council, are expected to be completed by early summer.
The city encouraged residents to attend and give input at the community meetings scheduled at 6 p.m. on the following dates:
Westside Regional Command, 4801 Osborne Drive.
Wednesday, April 11
Northeast Regional Command, 9600 Dyer Street.
Tuesday, April 17
Pebble Hills Regional Command, 10780 Pebble Hills Boulevard.
Wednesday, April 18
