Fredericksburg City Council voted 5 to 1 on September 22, 2015, to amend the city’s noise ordinance. Councilman Charlie Frye, Ward 4, voted against the changes. Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw was not at the meeting.
Review of the city’s noise ordinance came in response to complaints from city residents living near Happy Endings Bar & Grill. “The issue came from one establishment, and now we’re changing the laws of the city,” said Councilor Frye. “We promote a high energy environment, and we’re tearing that down,” he said. “We host events, parades, First Friday; for me, what we have now is good enough.”
“The changes will add clarity to specific violations and help make the ordinance more enforceable, said Councilor Tim Duffy, Ward 3.
The changes include:
1. Removing the general prohibition on unreasonable noise;
2. Adding a specific prohibition on shouting in the streets and sidewalks at night;
3. Add a specific prohibition on noise generated by a person or group that is plainly audible at 100 feet; and
4. Removing hour-of-day limitations on the specific prohibition of audio devices (except for the downtown business district) and increase the plainly audible standard on that prohibition from 50 feet to 100 feet.
“The added dimension of measurability is a good thing,” said Councilman Brad Ellis, Ward 1.
Read the entire document presented to City Council on Sept. 22, 2015..
More
City Staff: ‘No Extraordinary Action’ Against Happy Endings Bar
Residents Want City to Shut Down Happy Endings Bar and Grill
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