Isle of Palms will soon have a new noise ordinance, at least temporarily. Despite doubts expressed by both residents and city council members, it is hoped that the new measure will at least serve as a starting point toward a workable solution to enforcing island-wide noise levels.
“We’ve been at this a long time,” said councilman John Bogosian during a city council workshop on May 14. “We’ve talked about this in listening sessions and numerous other forums where people asked for enforced regulations and enforced livability and this is an attempt to do that.”
If passed by the council as intended, the noise ordinance would take effect July 1 and remain in place on a trial basis through Dec. 31, 2024.
During that time, all island zoning would have to comply with the following decibel levels:
- SR1, SR2, SR3 – 65 decibels in daytime hours
- GC1, GC3, LC, PDD – 70 decibels in daytime hours
- All zones – 55 decibels at night
The levels were recommended by members of the IOP Planning Commission, based on comparisons of island noise levels at times when there were a lack of complaints and an abundance of complaints.
“They didn’t want to set it at a number where they felt that just ‘life’ (such as morning traffic) would be triggering a violation,” said Douglas Kerr, director of IOP Building, Planning and Zoning.
Bogosian also recommended splitting PDD (Planned Development District) areas into two separate parts: a residential zone at 65 decibels and a commercial zone at 70 decibels.
As for Front Beach, an area of excessive noise zoned as GC2 (General Commercial), Bogosian recommended putting in testing monitors for six months, then obtaining noise readings and using the data to determine decibel levels going forward into 2025.
“Some people want much lower (levels), some want it unrestricted,” Bogosian said. “But I think this is a good place for us to begin.”
However, members of the community and council indicated that while they support an enforceable measure, the one under consideration has almost no chance of lasting past the trial run.
Terri Haack, the new managing director of Wild Dunes Resort, requested a 75-decibel level for the areas of the Sweetgrass Inn and the resort core because of events that require a higher sound level.
Resident Randy Bell objected to residential areas having to conform to commercial noise standards, instead of the other way around.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Campsen said that 65 decibels is too much in line with commercial use areas. “I think we do have a challenge with noise and I would like to see us address it. But it feels like we just don’t have the votes for anything I would deem reasonable. Maybe not doing something is better than doing something that’s not a good idea.”
Councilwoman Jan Anderson disagreed, saying that even if the proposed ordinance did end up failing, it would allow everyone to see where changes are needed. “What we are trying to do is establish noise ordinances that can be enforceable. So please give us six months to test out what we have and we’ll go forward from there.”
By L. C. Leach III
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