As expected, last night’s City Council meeting was almost a full house. On the agenda, an item that struck a chord with local musicians and restaurateurs as well as residents: an amendment to the city’s noise ordinance.
Currently, the noise ordinance caps decibel levels at 75 after 11pm in the Neighborhood Commercial Corridor district, which includes Belmont and Fontaine. However, many Belmont residents deemed 75 decibels too loud, and both the Belmont-Carlton Neighborhood Association and Jim Tolbert, director of Neighborhood Development Services, have spoken in favor of lowering the level to 55 decibels after 11pm.
City staff reconsidered its ordinance and agreed to study possible alternatives. The first of two proposed amendments discussed last night would limit amplified sound between 11pm and 6am in the Neighborhood Commercial Corridor district to 55 decibels, while leaving the 75 decibel-limit intact for non-residential areas. The second amendment, a far more sweeping one, would limit sound to 55 decibels in all districts aside from the Downtown Business District—a.k.a., the Downtown Mall.
Peter Castiglione, owner of Maya Restaurant on West Main Street, urged Council to consider the “inherent inequality” of the ordinance. According to him, the Downtown Mall already receives revenue from tourists and residents alike and is exempt from this amendment. Businesses around town, and not on the Mall, will inevitably suffer. “How is East Main Street different from West Main Street?” he asked.
The Local owner Adam Frazier agreed. "I don’t envy the position you are in," he told Council, but a decision must be made soon as to avoid further controversy and "bad vibes."
"It’s been over a year since we have focused on Belmont," he said.
A local musician told Council that if the decreased decibel level is approved, “it’s going to affect all of Charlottesville." He added that he most likely would lose his job as a result.
Local music promoter Jeyon Falsini told Council he opposes the ordinance because it will impact the city’s well-regarded music scene—something, he said, that was hard to obtain.
Although Council did not vote on the matter last night (it was the first of two readings), Councilor David Brown proposed that 60 decibels be the new limit in both Belmont and Fontaine, and was seconded by Councilor Satyendra Huja. This addition will be considered when Council picks up the debate once more.