I woke up this morning to read the news that the Troutdale City Council rejected Multnomah County's request to vacate the 242nd right of way. The vote was 5-2 against. I attended the city council meeting last night, but only until the 9pm break. All the big guns were there. County Chair Ted Wheeler, County Commissioner Diane McKeel, and plenty of their staffers attended. Also in attendance were Metro Councilor Rod Park and some Metro Staffers. Representatives from McMenamins and the Reynolds School District were there, but I left before they testified.
I won't go into the details of the meeting, but the issues and the arguments were pretty much the same as the last time the city council was asked to vacate the right of way. Read about it here.
I have one concern about this. The votes to vacate the right of way weren't there on the city council. My own informal poll of city councilors this week never tallied 4 votes in favor of giving up the right of way. There were only 2 solid yes votes and only one swing vote. The other 4 were solid no votes. This was a dead issue. So who was it on the city council that insisted on putting this issue back on the agenda, dragging this lame duck of an issue through a five hour city council meeting and wasting everyone's time when the end result was known to most of the players?
In a side note, I give a tip of the hat to County Chair Ted Wheeler, who stayed for the entire city council meeting until nearly midnight, and then was up bright and early this morning for a lobbying visit to Salem. I left the city council meeting at 9pm. We were both wrong on our "March Madness" city council vote predictions, Ted. But you win the endless meeting endurance race.
Showing posts with label McMenamins Edgefield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label McMenamins Edgefield. Show all posts
May 14, 2008
McMenamin's Edgefield Addresses Concert Noise, Safety Concerns
McMenamins Edgefield responded to most of their residential neighbor's concerns about loud concerts, bright lights, music content, and the frequency of Edgefield concerts with an agreement between the City of Troutdale and McMenamins. Last night, the City Council approved an agreement that provides for the following responsibilities:
The Troutdale Police Department will provide:
Door hangers to the affected communities listed in the agreement which will include the following information:
The Troutdale Police Department will provide:
- Traffic control
- Coordinate staff for traffic control
- Invoice McMenamins monthly for police services
- Participate in any neighborhood meetings related to the McMenamins Edgefield concert series
- Provide ODOT and neighboring cities with the traffic management plan
- Post the traffic management and parking plan on the city's web site
Door hangers to the affected communities listed in the agreement which will include the following information:
- The concert schedule
- The web site address for up to date concert information
- Telephone numbers to contact McMenamins Edgefield during the concert
- Approximate ending time of the concerts (9:30pm target, but no later than 10pm)
- A liaison contact to the police department during the concert series
- Ensure that the Dbl limit will not exceed 87 at the Distillery Bar
- Have no concerts at Blackberry Hall following the conclusion of the Summer Concert Series
- Have no concerts during school nights from June to September, unless the following day is a holiday.
- Ensure that Summer Concert Series Shows end at approximately 9:30pm, but not later than 10pm
- Provide staff to attend to the parking lots
- Provide staff to work with law enforcement ta the entrance/exit points
- Ensure that there is no amplifies sound during the Summer Concert Series prior to 2pm.
- Ensure that the lights in the parking lot will face north, and turned off at midnight
- Provide a copy of the contract between the promoter and McMenamins as i pertains to the terms of the agreement
- Hold a neighborhood meeting after the second concert
- Reimburse the city for police services within 30 days of receiving an invoice
- Reimburse any outside police agencies directly
- ensure the maximum number of tickets for each concert will not exceed 5,000
Oct 26, 2007
Anxious Multnomah County
Out here in Troutdale city council land, we've been getting lots of friendly e-mail from Multnomah County lately. Concerning the sale of their land across the street from Edgefield McMenamins. The fine folks at Multnomah County are just making sure every thing goes smoothly with respect to the lot line/zoning applications meandering through our planning commission and city council. Why, one of the letters included happy Troutdale 100th birthday greetings.
It's one of those domino things. They need to build that new justice center in Rockwood, like, yesterday. And they can't do that without the land sale proceeds from that property they're selling to McMenamins and the Reynolds School District. They need the money from the sale of that land, if I'm reading between the lines correctly, in a hurry!
As long as the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed, Multnomah County's efforts to quickly move its land use applications through Troutdale shouldn't present any problems at all. Maybe faster than you can say pig farm!
It's one of those domino things. They need to build that new justice center in Rockwood, like, yesterday. And they can't do that without the land sale proceeds from that property they're selling to McMenamins and the Reynolds School District. They need the money from the sale of that land, if I'm reading between the lines correctly, in a hurry!
As long as the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed, Multnomah County's efforts to quickly move its land use applications through Troutdale shouldn't present any problems at all. Maybe faster than you can say pig farm!
Oct 25, 2007
Citizens On the Edgefield Of Truthiness
During a Troutdale city council meeting this summer, a local resident came forward during the "public comment" portion of the meeting. This resident requested that the city install high walls between the resident's neighborhood and the road next to their neighborhood.
There had been a history of automobile accidents at a bend in the road closest to the neighborhood, with a few cars actually running off the road and through some resident's fences. As a matter of fact, Multnomah County had already agreed (at the neighborhood's request) to install guardrails at that section of the road. But this resident wanted a six or ten foot high wall, not a guardrail.
This resident went on to say that they had police reports showing that the accidents at that section of the road nearest the neighborhood were caused by drunk drivers coming from McMenamins Edgefield concerts.
Interestingly enough, right before this resident made use of the public comment period, a representative of McMenamins Edgefield used the public comment period to give the city council an update on Edgefield's efforts to mitigate noise and traffic complaints made during its summer concerts this year.
Being the curious sort, I e-mailed this resident, asking for either: copies of the police reports cited during the resident's comments, or the name/contact info of the source of the resident's information. If this allegation were true, we would certainly want to act on it.
It's been over three weeks since my e-mail. I haven't heard a peep from the resident. No reply to my e-mail. No phone call. Nada.
However, I also asked our Troutdale police department to research this resident's claims. They replied promptly with the following result (editorial note: here's the verbatim from the e-mail I received from the police department. I have fictionalized the names and addresses of resident's to "X", or "Z" to maintain their anonymity.)
"Chief: I ran the house addresses that have backyard fences along (X Street) around that curve. There were 5 incidents since 2001 and in 3 of these cases, the driver was charged with DUII. None of the 3 DUII reports indicated where the driver was served - no mention of any restaurant, etc.
Here are the accidents involving the fence in that area from our records system:
10/26/2001 (1X Street 2X Street), driver hit the fences of these addresses, was charged with vandalism II and DUII.
12/25/2004 (1X Street), driver hit the fence (non injury accident), was careless driving citations.
3/29/2005 (1X Street, 2X Street), driver hit the fences of these addresses (non injury accident), no citations.
7/11/2006 (1X Street), driver hit the fence, was charged with vandalism II and DUII.
1/18/2007 (1X Street, 2X Street), driver hit the fence, was charged with vandalism II, reckless driving, DUII.
We have a record of a public records request made by (Citizen Z) earlier this year. (Citizen Z) lives at (3X Street) (they had 1 vandalism graffiti report at their address, and one of the DUII fence damage incidents). (Citizen Z) did not follow up with the money for the reports, and so she didn't obtain them. Other than that, we could find no record of other public records requests regarding these incidents.
Also, I noted in a few of the reports, mention was made of the need to look into the problem from an engineering perspective and the report was forwarded on to Multnomah County Street dept. (no specific individual noted). If you need additional information, please let us know."
What to make of this interesting resident claim, and a contrary report from our police department? I would certainly be interested in hearing the resident's response to the police department's research. If there is additional information or documentation from another source, I would be very interested in seeing it. But for now, there's nothing to support the resident's claims.
There had been a history of automobile accidents at a bend in the road closest to the neighborhood, with a few cars actually running off the road and through some resident's fences. As a matter of fact, Multnomah County had already agreed (at the neighborhood's request) to install guardrails at that section of the road. But this resident wanted a six or ten foot high wall, not a guardrail.
This resident went on to say that they had police reports showing that the accidents at that section of the road nearest the neighborhood were caused by drunk drivers coming from McMenamins Edgefield concerts.
Interestingly enough, right before this resident made use of the public comment period, a representative of McMenamins Edgefield used the public comment period to give the city council an update on Edgefield's efforts to mitigate noise and traffic complaints made during its summer concerts this year.
Being the curious sort, I e-mailed this resident, asking for either: copies of the police reports cited during the resident's comments, or the name/contact info of the source of the resident's information. If this allegation were true, we would certainly want to act on it.
It's been over three weeks since my e-mail. I haven't heard a peep from the resident. No reply to my e-mail. No phone call. Nada.
However, I also asked our Troutdale police department to research this resident's claims. They replied promptly with the following result (editorial note: here's the verbatim from the e-mail I received from the police department. I have fictionalized the names and addresses of resident's to "X", or "Z" to maintain their anonymity.)
"Chief: I ran the house addresses that have backyard fences along (X Street) around that curve. There were 5 incidents since 2001 and in 3 of these cases, the driver was charged with DUII. None of the 3 DUII reports indicated where the driver was served - no mention of any restaurant, etc.
Here are the accidents involving the fence in that area from our records system:
10/26/2001 (1X Street 2X Street), driver hit the fences of these addresses, was charged with vandalism II and DUII.
12/25/2004 (1X Street), driver hit the fence (non injury accident), was careless driving citations.
3/29/2005 (1X Street, 2X Street), driver hit the fences of these addresses (non injury accident), no citations.
7/11/2006 (1X Street), driver hit the fence, was charged with vandalism II and DUII.
1/18/2007 (1X Street, 2X Street), driver hit the fence, was charged with vandalism II, reckless driving, DUII.
We have a record of a public records request made by (Citizen Z) earlier this year. (Citizen Z) lives at (3X Street) (they had 1 vandalism graffiti report at their address, and one of the DUII fence damage incidents). (Citizen Z) did not follow up with the money for the reports, and so she didn't obtain them. Other than that, we could find no record of other public records requests regarding these incidents.
Also, I noted in a few of the reports, mention was made of the need to look into the problem from an engineering perspective and the report was forwarded on to Multnomah County Street dept. (no specific individual noted). If you need additional information, please let us know."
What to make of this interesting resident claim, and a contrary report from our police department? I would certainly be interested in hearing the resident's response to the police department's research. If there is additional information or documentation from another source, I would be very interested in seeing it. But for now, there's nothing to support the resident's claims.
Oct 12, 2007
Edgefield/Neighborhood Concert Noise Meeting Scheduled
This just in from McMenamins: The neighborhood/Edgefield meeting regarding concert noise/traffic/etc. issues will be held at McMenamins Edgefield on November 1st from 6pm to 7pm in Black Berry Hall. McMenamins says they will be passing out door hangers in the affected neighborhoods next week to let folks know about the meeting.
Sep 14, 2007
Sep 3, 2007
A Weekend To Write Home About
It was a pretty good weekend. The Mrs. and I enjoyed some quality time together. We also did some things all by our lonesomes.
Friday night, the Mrs. made chicken soup. You might think this doesn't sound exciting. But you're never tasted her soup! It was worth the wait. We also allowed Mr. Oreo in the house. Something we never do, because Oreos have a tendency to disappear very quickly. We held back, though, because we had a lot of soup. So those Oreos still in the package will live to see another few days.
Saturday morning after dropping the Mrs. off at a church seminar, I headed down to the Troutdale General Store to talk politics, land use, and local gossip with the usual cast of suspects. It's what I do just about every Saturday. You never know who will show up, or what mood people will be in.
The first topic is almost always "Did you see what so-and-so wrote in today's Gresham Outlook?" For instance, discussion of articles in Saturday's Outlook included noise at McMenamin's concerts,a pending purchase of the "Pig Farm" property by McMenamins and the Reynolds School District, and letters to the editor regarding the new FedEx regional hub.Sometimes all I hear is how f****d up the Troutdale city council is. Fair enough, right? People are entitled to their opinions. Sometimes they're right. More often than we'd like to admit!
We spent yesterday afternoon/evening with the in-laws. We talked about the Seattle Mariners, flowers, recipes, the Miss America pageant, how every one's fig trees were producing, car problems, church, the weather (Of course!), and WHERE TO GO FOR DINNER.
Do you have that conversation with family members? Where should we go for dinner? The delicate dance of trying to make everyone happy. No one wants to jump in first with a suggestion. They don't want to get shot down. Second suggestions? Usually 100% affirmation. Just don't be first to suggest a place, that's my plan. Me, I'll eat anywhere except the Roadhouse or Red Robin. Yuck.
We ended up going to a Chinese food establishment. It was a little scary because a woman in the booth next to ours wore full blown Dracula makeup. And she looked like she wasn't pretending to be a vampire, from where I was sitting. I kept one eye on my mu shu pork, and one eye on Countess Dracula.
After coming home from dinner, we completed the evening by sitting in our backyard, enjoying the proverbial adult beverage. While the sun extinguished itself on the horizon, and our dog rolled in the grass, we toasted to our good fortune and called it a night.
Friday night, the Mrs. made chicken soup. You might think this doesn't sound exciting. But you're never tasted her soup! It was worth the wait. We also allowed Mr. Oreo in the house. Something we never do, because Oreos have a tendency to disappear very quickly. We held back, though, because we had a lot of soup. So those Oreos still in the package will live to see another few days.
Saturday morning after dropping the Mrs. off at a church seminar, I headed down to the Troutdale General Store to talk politics, land use, and local gossip with the usual cast of suspects. It's what I do just about every Saturday. You never know who will show up, or what mood people will be in.
The first topic is almost always "Did you see what so-and-so wrote in today's Gresham Outlook?" For instance, discussion of articles in Saturday's Outlook included noise at McMenamin's concerts,a pending purchase of the "Pig Farm" property by McMenamins and the Reynolds School District, and letters to the editor regarding the new FedEx regional hub.Sometimes all I hear is how f****d up the Troutdale city council is. Fair enough, right? People are entitled to their opinions. Sometimes they're right. More often than we'd like to admit!
We spent yesterday afternoon/evening with the in-laws. We talked about the Seattle Mariners, flowers, recipes, the Miss America pageant, how every one's fig trees were producing, car problems, church, the weather (Of course!), and WHERE TO GO FOR DINNER.
Do you have that conversation with family members? Where should we go for dinner? The delicate dance of trying to make everyone happy. No one wants to jump in first with a suggestion. They don't want to get shot down. Second suggestions? Usually 100% affirmation. Just don't be first to suggest a place, that's my plan. Me, I'll eat anywhere except the Roadhouse or Red Robin. Yuck.
We ended up going to a Chinese food establishment. It was a little scary because a woman in the booth next to ours wore full blown Dracula makeup. And she looked like she wasn't pretending to be a vampire, from where I was sitting. I kept one eye on my mu shu pork, and one eye on Countess Dracula.
After coming home from dinner, we completed the evening by sitting in our backyard, enjoying the proverbial adult beverage. While the sun extinguished itself on the horizon, and our dog rolled in the grass, we toasted to our good fortune and called it a night.
Aug 30, 2007
Meeting Summary-City of Troutdale & McMenamins
In response to noise and traffic complaints regarding the concerts at McMenamins Edgefield, here's a summary of a meeting that took place yerterday (August 29) between city officials and McMenamins.
Below are the issues that were raised with the McMenamin's staff.
1. Overall loudness of the concerts, primarily over the last couple weeks.
The concerts that occurred during the first part of the year received very few if any complaints. The primary problem has been within the last two to three weeks and that is the result of the type of music that was being performed. Specifically there were several concerts in a row that played a lot of "low end bass". The low end bass that these bands played travels far and wide, even with low decimal readings (which I will cover below). The McMenamin's staff realizes that this is the problem and will not invite these types of bands to play at their property in the future.
Some of the complaints that have been made is about the content of the music, specifically the lyrics. As you know we can not control the lyrics, that falls under freedom of speech. With that said, McMenamins does not want to have that type of music played at their property and will not have those type of bands play in the future. They would like the concerts to be a "family" atmosphere.
2. Music being played in the afternoons.
What we learned yesterday is that the technicians were playing pre-recorded (CD's) to conduct sound checks for the band. The problem was the type of music being played, and McMenamins had put a stop to the type of music that the bands were playing during the sound checks. As of yesterday McMenamins has already contacted Stevie Wonder and BB King and told them that they have a shorter period of time, one hour, to conduct their sound test and this will be something that McMenamins will add into the contract for next year.
3. The number of concerts playing per year.
Last year there were five concerts, because they started a little late in the season to get bands booked. This is their first full year of concerts. We have not agreed on a number of concerts that they can have during the year, however we will be discussing this for next year. McMenamins would like to have one concert a week if that is possible. We asked if it was possible to have the concerts primarily on the weekend and McMenamins said that they would work on that, however it really depends on the tour schedule of the performers.
4. Lights in the parking lot.
McMenamins said that was an oversight having the lights on that late and they will correct that problem.
5. Traffic.
Regarding the issue of traffic, the city told them that for next year we need to have a different traffic management plan which could include detours and rerouting traffic. Of course this will have to be approved by ODOT, Multnomah County, the City of Wood Village and the City of Troutdale.
6. Other issues discussed.
McMenamins is very concerned, as we are, about the impact on the community as a result of these concerts. Something that they are planning for next year are adult contemporary music and not any "low end bass" bands. They are looking at installing sound netting to reduce the amount of sound travel. They are looking at changing the direction of the stage, however this is more complicated than it sounds.
McMenamins is willing and looking forward to holding a public meeting at their facility to hear the concerns of the community and try to address those concerns.
McMenamins has three employees that go around the neighborhoods during the concerts and take decimal sound readings throughout the concerts, we have done that also.
Another issue was concert after the concert. What occurred three times this year was the would have a concert in the Blackberry Hall after the normal concert and that music was traveling. McMenamins has agreed not to have any more concerts after the primary concert.
McMenamins also told us that they would work with the people who rent the Blackberry Hall for weddings etc. to keep the doors closed to avoid noise complaints.
to 62 The decibel readings that Troutdale Police Sergeant Wendland took on August 28th were 54 to 62 dbs. Sergeant Wendland noted that a barking dog was at 68 dbs, and passing traffic was at 66 dbs. Again, the issue with the most recent concerts has been the "low end bass" which will not register very high on the decimal reader.
Troutdale Police Chief David Nelson has obtained about 12 different noise ordinances from different cities and we will be working on changing our current noise ordinance, not only for the concerts but also for neighborhood issues.
(Thanks very much to Chief Nelson for providing this update and also for arranging the decibel readings on August 28.)
Feel free to leave comments on this blog, or e-mail me directly: robert(AT)robertcanfield(DOT)com.
Below are the issues that were raised with the McMenamin's staff.
1. Overall loudness of the concerts, primarily over the last couple weeks.
The concerts that occurred during the first part of the year received very few if any complaints. The primary problem has been within the last two to three weeks and that is the result of the type of music that was being performed. Specifically there were several concerts in a row that played a lot of "low end bass". The low end bass that these bands played travels far and wide, even with low decimal readings (which I will cover below). The McMenamin's staff realizes that this is the problem and will not invite these types of bands to play at their property in the future.
Some of the complaints that have been made is about the content of the music, specifically the lyrics. As you know we can not control the lyrics, that falls under freedom of speech. With that said, McMenamins does not want to have that type of music played at their property and will not have those type of bands play in the future. They would like the concerts to be a "family" atmosphere.
2. Music being played in the afternoons.
What we learned yesterday is that the technicians were playing pre-recorded (CD's) to conduct sound checks for the band. The problem was the type of music being played, and McMenamins had put a stop to the type of music that the bands were playing during the sound checks. As of yesterday McMenamins has already contacted Stevie Wonder and BB King and told them that they have a shorter period of time, one hour, to conduct their sound test and this will be something that McMenamins will add into the contract for next year.
3. The number of concerts playing per year.
Last year there were five concerts, because they started a little late in the season to get bands booked. This is their first full year of concerts. We have not agreed on a number of concerts that they can have during the year, however we will be discussing this for next year. McMenamins would like to have one concert a week if that is possible. We asked if it was possible to have the concerts primarily on the weekend and McMenamins said that they would work on that, however it really depends on the tour schedule of the performers.
4. Lights in the parking lot.
McMenamins said that was an oversight having the lights on that late and they will correct that problem.
5. Traffic.
Regarding the issue of traffic, the city told them that for next year we need to have a different traffic management plan which could include detours and rerouting traffic. Of course this will have to be approved by ODOT, Multnomah County, the City of Wood Village and the City of Troutdale.
6. Other issues discussed.
McMenamins is very concerned, as we are, about the impact on the community as a result of these concerts. Something that they are planning for next year are adult contemporary music and not any "low end bass" bands. They are looking at installing sound netting to reduce the amount of sound travel. They are looking at changing the direction of the stage, however this is more complicated than it sounds.
McMenamins is willing and looking forward to holding a public meeting at their facility to hear the concerns of the community and try to address those concerns.
McMenamins has three employees that go around the neighborhoods during the concerts and take decimal sound readings throughout the concerts, we have done that also.
Another issue was concert after the concert. What occurred three times this year was the would have a concert in the Blackberry Hall after the normal concert and that music was traveling. McMenamins has agreed not to have any more concerts after the primary concert.
McMenamins also told us that they would work with the people who rent the Blackberry Hall for weddings etc. to keep the doors closed to avoid noise complaints.
to 62 The decibel readings that Troutdale Police Sergeant Wendland took on August 28th were 54 to 62 dbs. Sergeant Wendland noted that a barking dog was at 68 dbs, and passing traffic was at 66 dbs. Again, the issue with the most recent concerts has been the "low end bass" which will not register very high on the decimal reader.
Troutdale Police Chief David Nelson has obtained about 12 different noise ordinances from different cities and we will be working on changing our current noise ordinance, not only for the concerts but also for neighborhood issues.
(Thanks very much to Chief Nelson for providing this update and also for arranging the decibel readings on August 28.)
Feel free to leave comments on this blog, or e-mail me directly: robert(AT)robertcanfield(DOT)com.
Aug 24, 2007
An E-mail To McMenamins Edgefield
Mr. Simcoe:
FYI, I've written an article regarding noise complaints during Edgefield concerts, which also now includes comments from some of your closest Troutdale neighbors at:
http://troutdale.blogspot.com/2007/08/citizen-complaints-edgefield.html.
Some of the neighbors living closest to Edgefield have also e-mailed me. One of them wrote, "I've discussed the noise situation with DJ Simcoe, the concert manager at Edgefield, and he kindly explained to me via email that the noise level is up to each band to determine for themselves and that Edgefield has nothing to do with sound levels. He suggested neighbors contact city officials regarding excessive noise."
This is clearly an issue that needs to be resolved, but I don't believe the city is the place to begin. I don't believe the answer is necessarily a revision of Troutdale's noise ordinance. In my opinion, this is something that needs to be worked out between McMenamins Edgefield and its neighbors. That's what good neighbors do, and I'm assuming that McMenamins wants to do its part by working with, not against its residential neighbors.
I'd like your response to the neighbors complaints. I'd also like to know what steps McMenamins Edgefield has taken to work with your neighbors closest to the concert venue regarding noise and traffic issues.
I'm also forwarding this to Edgefield concert sponsors: Renaissance Homes, The Oregonian A&E, Comcast, PGE, and Gentleman Jack.
I look forward to your response.
Regards,
Robert Canfield
Troutdale City Councilor
robert@robertcanfield.com
blog: http://www.robertcanfield.com
(disclaimer: this e-mail is my opinion only and not necessarily that of the Troutdale City Council)
FYI, I've written an article regarding noise complaints during Edgefield concerts, which also now includes comments from some of your closest Troutdale neighbors at:
http://troutdale.blogspot.com/2007/08/citizen-complaints-edgefield.html.
Some of the neighbors living closest to Edgefield have also e-mailed me. One of them wrote, "I've discussed the noise situation with DJ Simcoe, the concert manager at Edgefield, and he kindly explained to me via email that the noise level is up to each band to determine for themselves and that Edgefield has nothing to do with sound levels. He suggested neighbors contact city officials regarding excessive noise."
This is clearly an issue that needs to be resolved, but I don't believe the city is the place to begin. I don't believe the answer is necessarily a revision of Troutdale's noise ordinance. In my opinion, this is something that needs to be worked out between McMenamins Edgefield and its neighbors. That's what good neighbors do, and I'm assuming that McMenamins wants to do its part by working with, not against its residential neighbors.
I'd like your response to the neighbors complaints. I'd also like to know what steps McMenamins Edgefield has taken to work with your neighbors closest to the concert venue regarding noise and traffic issues.
I'm also forwarding this to Edgefield concert sponsors: Renaissance Homes, The Oregonian A&E, Comcast, PGE, and Gentleman Jack.
I look forward to your response.
Regards,
Robert Canfield
Troutdale City Councilor
robert@robertcanfield.com
blog: http://www.robertcanfield.com
(disclaimer: this e-mail is my opinion only and not necessarily that of the Troutdale City Council)
Late Night With Blog
Just finished some work-related paperwork, Joy, joy, yay. *Yawn*. The window's open. A cool 1am breeze wafts in, which is then spread across the back of my neck with the ceiling fan. Our dog just lifted his head up at my feet. He's wondering when I'm going to bed, so he can start sleeping on the comfy end of the bed and not the floor, with his head resting on the chair's feet. Hey, dog, it's not MY fault you fell asleep in that position.
Yesterday, somehow the dog was able to sneak into our bedroom a giant head-sized cow bone joint that he's been working on for the past two years in our back yard. The Mrs. and I have no idea how he snuck it past us- unless he's figured out how to turn door knobs. Boy, was he UNHAPPY when we took it away from him and tossed its grossness back outside. But he's a good boy. He never growls, never snarls. He just wants it BACK!
We went to the Fairview farmer's market again Thursday night for dinner. One of the vendors makes great tamales. So that's what we had. And lemonade. The blues band at the farmer's market was decent this time.
The city councilor packet for Tuesday's meeting was waiting for us when we got home. Inside in the mail pouch was yet another letter from a Troutdale resident with a complaint about a noisy neighbor. When someone takes the time to type and mail a real letter, I pay extra attention, big time. I appreciate the time, effort, and underlying frustration it takes to write to your city elected officials. Thank you, Ms. citizen. Your letter is welcome. I understand what you're going through. For the Mrs. and I a few years ago, it was a dog. A barking dog all day and night next door. For several years. It was a sweet dog. But barking all night, every night? We're glad that problem was taken care of.
It takes It seems like we've received a lot of these this summer. Between me and you and our noise code, I'm thinking we're going to be making some changes to that noise code in the very near future. From too-loud McMenamins concerts, to too-loud stereo playing, engine revving, all-night kid playing neighbors, Troutdale has its share of unresolved conflicts. We do have East Metro mediation available. They've been successful with neighbor complaints in the past. I still don't know about this summer, though. Maybe there's something in the Troutdale water.
Hmm. The dog just plopped down in a sleep heap at my feet. Complete with a long dog sigh. I bet if I wait just a few minutes, and he'll be fast asleep, dreaming away, his paws will start twitching and moving like they do when dogs dream. I love watching him when he does that. 80 pounds of dog dreamin', paw twitchin' slumber.
I have no idea why I'm still writing this particular blog entry. Except it's quiet, the breeze feels awesome, It's very peaceful. Ok that's it. Almost 1:30am. I'm done.
Yesterday, somehow the dog was able to sneak into our bedroom a giant head-sized cow bone joint that he's been working on for the past two years in our back yard. The Mrs. and I have no idea how he snuck it past us- unless he's figured out how to turn door knobs. Boy, was he UNHAPPY when we took it away from him and tossed its grossness back outside. But he's a good boy. He never growls, never snarls. He just wants it BACK!
We went to the Fairview farmer's market again Thursday night for dinner. One of the vendors makes great tamales. So that's what we had. And lemonade. The blues band at the farmer's market was decent this time.
The city councilor packet for Tuesday's meeting was waiting for us when we got home. Inside in the mail pouch was yet another letter from a Troutdale resident with a complaint about a noisy neighbor. When someone takes the time to type and mail a real letter, I pay extra attention, big time. I appreciate the time, effort, and underlying frustration it takes to write to your city elected officials. Thank you, Ms. citizen. Your letter is welcome. I understand what you're going through. For the Mrs. and I a few years ago, it was a dog. A barking dog all day and night next door. For several years. It was a sweet dog. But barking all night, every night? We're glad that problem was taken care of.
It takes It seems like we've received a lot of these this summer. Between me and you and our noise code, I'm thinking we're going to be making some changes to that noise code in the very near future. From too-loud McMenamins concerts, to too-loud stereo playing, engine revving, all-night kid playing neighbors, Troutdale has its share of unresolved conflicts. We do have East Metro mediation available. They've been successful with neighbor complaints in the past. I still don't know about this summer, though. Maybe there's something in the Troutdale water.
Hmm. The dog just plopped down in a sleep heap at my feet. Complete with a long dog sigh. I bet if I wait just a few minutes, and he'll be fast asleep, dreaming away, his paws will start twitching and moving like they do when dogs dream. I love watching him when he does that. 80 pounds of dog dreamin', paw twitchin' slumber.
I have no idea why I'm still writing this particular blog entry. Except it's quiet, the breeze feels awesome, It's very peaceful. Ok that's it. Almost 1:30am. I'm done.
Aug 17, 2007
Citizen Complaints: Edgefield ConcertsToo Loud?
I've received a few complaints about too-loud concerts at McMenamins Edgefield. So have other Troutdale city councilors. I can attest to the loudness of these concerts. We live five miles away and we can often hear the music from our backyard.
Noise complaints from an outdoor venue such as McMenamins are not uncommon. From Texas, check out this Austin Chronicle article about that city's struggle with the concert noise issue. Here's an excerpt from that article:
"While the latest debate over how loud live music in Austin can be before it infringes on the rights of property owners has been fraught with spin control, crisis management, and name-calling, it boils down to three distinct agendas: downtown residents and hotels upset with noise disruptions from live music; venue operators looking to present shows at a volume that pleases both artists and audience; and a local police department that maintains they're caught in the middle by a current noise ordinance that's unenforceable. At the heart of it all lies the future of downtown Austin."
Troutdale's current noise ordinance is pretty generic. Here's the essential piece of our noise ordinance:
Right now, any unreasonable noise is ok, as long as it occurs between 7am and 10pm. What are the prohibited unreasonable noises? The next part of the noise code spells it out:
1. The use, operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, compact disc player, tape player, loudspeaker, musical instrument, or other similar machine or device that is used for the production of noise between the hours of ten p.m. and seven a.m. when the noise is plainly audible within a noise sensitive unit that is not the source of the noise;
2. The loading, unloading, opening, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, or similar objects between the hours of ten p.m. and seven a.m. when the noise is plainly audible within a noise sensitive unit that is not the source of the noise;
3. The sounding of any horn or signaling device on any automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle, except as a danger signal;
4. The use of any automobile, motorcycle or other kind of vehicle in a manner that creates loud grating, grinding, revving, rattling or other similar noise;
5. The use of exhaust brakes, except when used in an emergency to stop or slow a vehicle so as to avoid a collision;
6. The discharging of exhaust from any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, motor boat, motorcycle or motor vehicle except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises;
7. The making of, or assisting with the making of, noise on a public beach or in a public park when the noise is plainly audible within a noise sensitive unit that is not the source of the noise and is not authorized pursuant to a permit;
8. The use of construction, street work, street repair, drilling or demolition tools or equipment during the following hours: Monday through Friday before seven a.m. or after nine p.m., Saturdays before eight a.m. or after seven p.m. and Sundays before ten a.m. or after seven p.m.;
9. The use of domestic power tools during the hours of ten p.m. and seven a.m.;
10. Noise created by animals when it violates the standards adopted by Multnomah County in Chapter 13 of the Multnomah County Code. See Chapter 6.04 of the Troutdale Municipal Code.
B. The enumeration of unreasonable noises in subsection A of this section shall not limit the city from investigating and declaring other noises unreasonable as provided for in Section 8.24.035 of this chapter. (Ord. 750 § 6 Att. E (part), 2004)
So there you have it. According to our city code, there's nothing wrong with extremely loud concerts at McMenamins Edgefield between 7am and 10pm. But what about the residences who literally live next door to Edgfield? Is it ok for them to be subjected to this excessive, but legal concert noise? Methinks probably not.
So what's the solution? We could make our noise ordinance more restrictive. We could ban loud concerts. We could keep the noise ordinance as is. Or some solution in between these basic options.
What do I think? We need to refine our noise ordinance, but in a way that protects the interests of the residential neighbors, Edgefield, and the city. An impossible task, perhaps? My solution would be as follows: before next summer's concert season, the city should require that McMenamin's representatives get together with their residential neighbors near Edgefield. Both sides must come to a satisfactory agreement regarding noise levels, durations, and times before any concerts are permitted.
The city should only become involved if the parties cannot come to agreement. At that point, the decision making would turn political, which I fear would result in no one being satisfied. If it comes to that, the city council could change its noise ordinance into something much more restrictive and technical, with limits on decibel levels at certain ranges and certain distances, with expensive monitoring equipment, staff time, fines for violators, the works. I'd hate to see it come to that.
I have witnessed another issue regarding the increasingly popular Edgefield concerts: The massive traffic jams and gridlock on NE Halsey before and after the concerts. Halsey is a two-lane road at Edgefield. If there were a medical emergency, fire, or other catastrophe in the area during the concert traffic gridlock, how would police/fire or other first responders get there? Fire trucks don't travel down roadside ditches very well. This is a disaster waiting to happen.
I only know the traffic situation from what I've personally seen. Perhaps there is a traffic management plan in place, I don't know. I'll check with city staff on this and then discuss it further here.
Noise complaints from an outdoor venue such as McMenamins are not uncommon. From Texas, check out this Austin Chronicle article about that city's struggle with the concert noise issue. Here's an excerpt from that article:
"While the latest debate over how loud live music in Austin can be before it infringes on the rights of property owners has been fraught with spin control, crisis management, and name-calling, it boils down to three distinct agendas: downtown residents and hotels upset with noise disruptions from live music; venue operators looking to present shows at a volume that pleases both artists and audience; and a local police department that maintains they're caught in the middle by a current noise ordinance that's unenforceable. At the heart of it all lies the future of downtown Austin."
Troutdale's current noise ordinance is pretty generic. Here's the essential piece of our noise ordinance:
8.24.035 Unreasonable noises prohibited.
No person shall make, assist in making, permit or allow to continue any unreasonable noise in the city. A noise is unreasonable when the noise is made between the hours of ten p.m. and seven a.m.; the noise is plainly audible within a noise sensitive unit that is not the source of the noise; and the noise is abnormally high or low. (Ord. 750 § 6 Att. E (part), 2004)Right now, any unreasonable noise is ok, as long as it occurs between 7am and 10pm. What are the prohibited unreasonable noises? The next part of the noise code spells it out:
8.24.040 Specific noises prohibited.
A. The following acts are presumed unreasonable noises in violation of this chapter:1. The use, operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, compact disc player, tape player, loudspeaker, musical instrument, or other similar machine or device that is used for the production of noise between the hours of ten p.m. and seven a.m. when the noise is plainly audible within a noise sensitive unit that is not the source of the noise;
2. The loading, unloading, opening, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, or similar objects between the hours of ten p.m. and seven a.m. when the noise is plainly audible within a noise sensitive unit that is not the source of the noise;
3. The sounding of any horn or signaling device on any automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle, except as a danger signal;
4. The use of any automobile, motorcycle or other kind of vehicle in a manner that creates loud grating, grinding, revving, rattling or other similar noise;
5. The use of exhaust brakes, except when used in an emergency to stop or slow a vehicle so as to avoid a collision;
6. The discharging of exhaust from any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, motor boat, motorcycle or motor vehicle except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises;
7. The making of, or assisting with the making of, noise on a public beach or in a public park when the noise is plainly audible within a noise sensitive unit that is not the source of the noise and is not authorized pursuant to a permit;
8. The use of construction, street work, street repair, drilling or demolition tools or equipment during the following hours: Monday through Friday before seven a.m. or after nine p.m., Saturdays before eight a.m. or after seven p.m. and Sundays before ten a.m. or after seven p.m.;
9. The use of domestic power tools during the hours of ten p.m. and seven a.m.;
10. Noise created by animals when it violates the standards adopted by Multnomah County in Chapter 13 of the Multnomah County Code. See Chapter 6.04 of the Troutdale Municipal Code.
B. The enumeration of unreasonable noises in subsection A of this section shall not limit the city from investigating and declaring other noises unreasonable as provided for in Section 8.24.035 of this chapter. (Ord. 750 § 6 Att. E (part), 2004)
So there you have it. According to our city code, there's nothing wrong with extremely loud concerts at McMenamins Edgefield between 7am and 10pm. But what about the residences who literally live next door to Edgfield? Is it ok for them to be subjected to this excessive, but legal concert noise? Methinks probably not.
So what's the solution? We could make our noise ordinance more restrictive. We could ban loud concerts. We could keep the noise ordinance as is. Or some solution in between these basic options.
What do I think? We need to refine our noise ordinance, but in a way that protects the interests of the residential neighbors, Edgefield, and the city. An impossible task, perhaps? My solution would be as follows: before next summer's concert season, the city should require that McMenamin's representatives get together with their residential neighbors near Edgefield. Both sides must come to a satisfactory agreement regarding noise levels, durations, and times before any concerts are permitted.
The city should only become involved if the parties cannot come to agreement. At that point, the decision making would turn political, which I fear would result in no one being satisfied. If it comes to that, the city council could change its noise ordinance into something much more restrictive and technical, with limits on decibel levels at certain ranges and certain distances, with expensive monitoring equipment, staff time, fines for violators, the works. I'd hate to see it come to that.
I have witnessed another issue regarding the increasingly popular Edgefield concerts: The massive traffic jams and gridlock on NE Halsey before and after the concerts. Halsey is a two-lane road at Edgefield. If there were a medical emergency, fire, or other catastrophe in the area during the concert traffic gridlock, how would police/fire or other first responders get there? Fire trucks don't travel down roadside ditches very well. This is a disaster waiting to happen.
I only know the traffic situation from what I've personally seen. Perhaps there is a traffic management plan in place, I don't know. I'll check with city staff on this and then discuss it further here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)