Virginia Beach is listening: City wants community feedback to address Oceanfront noise complaints
Proposed changes to Virginia Beach’s noise law are not quietly going away. The City Council, which deferred a vote on the matter this summer, is asking residents to provide feedback through an online survey, which requires some leg work on the part of the respondents.
Earlier this year, City Attorney Mark Stiles suggested tweaks to the noise law after members of the city’s tourism industry and residents complained about unsanctioned loud music at the Oceanfront on the Boardwalk and Atlantic Avenue.
The proposed changes attempt to streamline enforcement efforts. Currently, sound levels are measured by noise meters, which requires dispatching a police officer who has a meter and is trained to use it.
Stiles’ edits include adding a “plainly audible” standard, which means sounds that can heard by the human ear from inside a home or at a certain distance could constitute a violation. The violations would include civil penalties of $250 for a first offense. A misdemeanor charge would still be used for repeat or severe violations.
On first look, residents and some City Council members had reservations about the changes. Councilmen John Moss and Guy Tower led a community workshop in June to gain more public input.
Now, residents are asked to make textual changes to the proposed amendments. The survey will be available through Sept. 30. Moss and Tower will review the suggestions before the City Council votes on the noise law Oct. 18.
To provide feedback:
Visit www.publicinput.com/noiseordinance and download a copy of the proposed ordinance. Make changes, then follow the instructions on the survey site to upload the suggested changes. Or follow the instructions to complete the online survey, indicating the line number and the proposed change to the text.
Call Virginia Beach’s Freedom of Information Specialist Nancy Bloom at 757-385-6279 to request a paper copy.
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
