By Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
The regional district’s noise control bylaw has been deferred for more information on the impacts it will have.
On July 21 the bylaw was to be read a first, second and third time as recommended by staff, but it was delayed on request by director Riley Gettens. She wanted to know how the bylaw will impact Peters Brothers paving company. She also asked what 70 decibels is equivalent to.
Mark Petry, building and bylaw enforcement manager, said he officially monitored a garbage truck at eight feet away and it measured 88 decibels. He commented that 70 decibels would be hard to quantify regarding distance.
Gettens said she looked it up online and found that a vacuum cleaner creates 70 decibels. The director added she couldn’t vote on the staff recommendation until her questions were answered.
The board agreed to defer the matter.
Prior to that, Area H (rural Princeton) director Bob Coyne requested to opt out of the bylaw, saying it would be “absolutely, totally impossible to enforce out here where we are.”
The board voted to approve this request.
The bylaw in question relates to Areas C (rural Oliver), D, E, F, and I, but not Area A (rural Osoyoos) since it doesn’t have noise regulations.
The new ordinance would replace the existing and separate noise control bylaws that are currently in place.
Planning manager Chris Garrish said consolidating the existing noise bylaws is a positive step that will allow more efficient regulations governing noise.
He noted the new bylaw will rely on the use of decibels (via meters) to provide a more reliable and practical approach to enforcement.
