Editorial: Sumner should continue to research noise ordinance

Sumner City Council made a wise decision earlier this week to table a proposed noise ordinance until further research can be done. The initial proposal was far too complicated and confusing.

For years the city has survived with only nuisance noise regulations, although council has often considered an ordinance that incorporates decibel levels. Many neighboring cities have taken this route.

The proposed ordinance would set the legal noise level at 57 decibels between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and 47 decibels during the night. But that raised concerns from local businesses, especially Windmill Bistro, the newest addition to Windmill Gardens. In addition to the nursery that has been at that location since the 1930s, for the past nine years Windmill Gardens has been a venue for weddings, which include music.

Windmill Gardens has already taken measures to abate wedding music slipping into the living rooms of neighboring homes. They have moved the DJ location and are looking into building a taller fence. Still, when Bistro owners measured the sound before taking any action, it was at 75 decibels, making them nervous that their efforts could be for nil.

At Monday’s city council meeting, though, Windmill owners were told that live music would fall under the public nuisance noise section of the proposed ordinance, which means there is also a subjective element to the regulation. Also under that category are noises from vehicles, car stereos, loud shouting and horns.

If they are subject to decibel standards but those levels can be vetoed, then what makes this any less arbitrary than the present system?

The city needs to take its time to explore all the potential ramifications of a decibel limit before approving such an ordinance.