ENCINITAS -- "It's
not like we're plopping a soccer field in the middle of the Garden of
Eden for Christ's sake," said Jerome Stocks, a board member
of the Cardiff youth soccer league.
"Those of us who live in the area chose to live here because it is rural
and relatively unspoiled," Jill Curtis Lentz wrote to the Planning
Commission
Michele Tutoli, a self-described
"soccer mom" with six children, wrote: "Open space is already the most
precious resource any community can own. How many years does one play
soccer compared to a lifetime of enjoying open space?"
North County Times SPENCER SOPER -- Staff
Writer
Boise City Planning & Zoning Commission April 9, 2001
Outdoor speakers within 300 feet of a residential neighborhood
“The Boise City Comprehensive Plan requires
commercial uses to demonstrate that they and their customers will not
cause unacceptable noise impacts on adjacent ‘noise-sensitive’ uses.
Limited hours of operation will mitigate noise impacts.”
Florida Residents Prefer Peace and Quiet to
Softball in their Neighborhood
PUBLICATION: Press Journal (Vero Beach, FL)
SECTION: A Section; Pg. A6
BYLINE: Colleen Deslaurier
DATELINE: Vero Beach, Florida
"It's peaceful. It's quiet. It's just a quiet nice
place to live," said Donovan. Resident Ken Burgess said he doesn't think
the complex is suitable for the neighborhood. "I moved here for the
peace and quiet. Now they're going to change all that," he said. Shirley
Brasi, who lives on Joy Haven, said she's concerned about the lights
keeping her awake. "This will completely destroy our peace and quiet. We
don't need the lights.
A meeting with county officials, residents and
members of the association has been scheduled for 7 p.m. March 31 at the
North Indian River County Library to answer questions and concerns. "We
are concerned about not upsetting the neighbors. We want to hear their
concerns," Batchellor said.
California Community Debates Little League
Fields PUBLICATION: The Orange County Register
SECTION: Community; Pg. 08
BYLINE: Julie Laing
DATELINE: Newport Beach, California
The Orange County Register reports that
little league baseball fields
are the center of controversy in Newport Beach, California. Area
residents say fields will bring greater traffic and noise
Homeowners across from the fields on Pacific View
Drive say the league has struck out. They fear improvements will
increase traffic and noise, decreasing their property values and quality
of life. "I would not buy a house across the street from that. I did not
buy a house across the street from that," said Karen Kopicki, who has
lived in the Canyon Crest Condominiums for 16 years. "There's never any
break from what's going on over there. "
Homeowners were not consulted the last time improvements were made, when
the field was outfitted with stadium lights in 1989. But they have been
forced to live with the lights. "They were shining right through our
windows," Kopicki said. "They still are now. I'm standing in my kitchen
and they're shining in." While the current improvements do not include
stadium lights, neighbors fear that changes are once again being forced
upon them
City of Arcata, California -- Noise
Element
“The air into which noise is emitted, and on which it travels, is a
common resource of the community. It is a public good & as such its use,
as well the responsibility of maintaining it, belongs to everyone.”
What Can You DO!
Your heart starts pounding... breathing becomes
labored, and your head starts to ache. You wipe the sweat from your forehead and
try to gather your thoughts. Have you just had a heart attack? Not at all. This
is your body's reaction to
excessive noise.
"Studies of the physiological and psychological effects of noise...indicate that
protracted noise can impair one's hearing, dry the mouth, dilate pupils, raise
cholesterol, elevate blood pressure, burden the heart. Constant noise can bring
on irritability, depression, aggression. It can interfere with the learning
ability of children," N.R. Kleinfield writes in the article published in the New
York Times.
1. Tell the neighbor - politely - that you can hear their
stereo/TV/voices/running screaming kids/etc. There's a good chance they don't
realize that they are being too loud. Ideally the problem will be fixed, and you
can rest easy. Write down the date on which you confronted your neighbor - you
never know when you might need it again.
2. If you receive a negative response, or no response at all, approach your
neighbors again, but this time supply them with a
copy of the city code on noise. Sometimes there are fines for excess
noise. You can find your local noise laws at city hall, a public law library or
the public library. Give your neighbor one dated copy of the ordinance laws and
keep a second copy (these are good for your records if the problem continues.)
3. No luck? This time you'll need to give your neighbor a letter informing them
that you are willing to take this problem to the next level. A letter might look
like this:
Dear
Sports Team,
On January 5, 2004, I spoke with you about the excessive noise coming
from your originations use of XYZ Sports park I informed you that the
Noise emitted violate the local noise laws, and disrupt enjoyment
of my property
I asked if you would please lower the noise
levels. This request was ignored, and on January 11, 2004, I provided
you with a copy of the local noise laws which provide me with a right to
"quiet enjoyment." Once again, my request has been ignored, and if by
January 20th, nothing has changed, I will need to request assistance
from the local law enforcement agency. I hope we reach an agreement
before that becomes necessary.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Local Home Owner
4. Still no luck? It's time to tattle. No one wants to be the Narc... but this
may be the only way to live peacefully. Make a copy of the letter, and discuss
the problem with your police department. For additional support (and so you
don't feel like such a tattle tail) you might want to ask your other neighbors
if the noise is bothering them, too. You might be able to get a petition signed
by the other neighbors, and arguing with a group will typically lead to faster
results. Regardless of whether or not you can get support from your neighbors,
if the noise is bothering you, don't just learn to live with it! Living with
excessive noise could actually be a threat to your health.
Once the problem is in the hands of the local agency charged with enforcing
noise control, you can de-stress a little bit.
