Issues surrounding noise ordinances continue, feeding the frenzy of sound-sensitive neighbors versus New Orleans-area bars. A league of neighborhood groups from across the city, who want everyone to know they're not anti-music, released a proposal this week. Some of the highlights (or lowlights, if you're a musician or own a bar):
· Keeping track of all sound measurements and recording them from the property line instead of the current 25-feet from the door rule.
· Hiring someone, backed by the NOPD and health department, to have the fun-filled, full-time job of enforcing sound ordinances and keeping track of all complaints.
· Bumping down French Quarter decibel levels in residential areas from 80 to 70 and a max-decibel level of 85 on eight blocks of hard-partying Bourbon Street.
In other noise news, St. Roch Tavern, is trying to get back their "open 'til" privileges (meaning your bar can stay open as late as the bartender or owner wants) but was unanimously denied at yesterday's Alcohol and Beverage Control Board's meeting. The Tavern currently must close by 11:30 p.m. on weeknights and 1:30 a.m. on weekends after noise violations and failure to follow a 2011 consent decree got the best of them.
· Neighborhood coalition urges stronger enforcement of noise ordinance [nola.com]
· St. Roch block [Nola Defender]
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