Posted: 6/25/03

Noise ordinance to cover entire city

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

A noise ordinance which has been in effect in the old city since, 1999 now affects the former township.

The city council Monday night voted to extend the noise ordinance to cover the entire city.

The ordinance puts hourly restrictions on noise-related activities such as recreational vehicles, power equipment and construction. It also addresses noisy parties, loudspeakers, paging systems, motorvehicles, horns and other high decibal activity. Overall, the most restricted hours are between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Residents concerned about noise from bands playing at Willows on the Water, 8241 North Shore Trail N. on Third Lake, again made their voices heard at Mondayís city council meeting.

They came to the city council meeting two weeks ago to complain about the bands playing Memorial Day weekend and ever weekend.

They came again Monday, to say while the reduction in noise is welcomed, they donít want to hear it every weekend, or over the entire upcoming July 4th holiday weekend.

John Bass said he was glad to hear the volume reduced since he and his neighbors complained, he disagreed with it being a regular thing.

ìI still donít understand when you have a restaurant and a bar why you have to have outside rock concerts,î Bass said.

Another resident, Darlene Koalski agreed.

ìIt is very annoying every weekend to have rock concerts,î she said. ìMaybe one day out of a holiday, but not four days out of a holiday.

Kevin Tacheny, owner of Willows on the Water, had applied for a special event permit which would allow live bands to play after 10 p.m.óuntil midnightóon July 4-5.

The city recommended denial due to the impact on neighboring properties. The council agreed.

Bo Bogotty, owner of Upperdeck and Players Beach Club, wondered if the decision put a wrench in the July 4th plans at his establishment. For eight years bands have played past 10 p.m. outside over the holiday weekend. He invested $15,000 in bands to play. To shut it down at 10 p.m. he said, would be a waste of money.

After he submits a request for a special event permit, the matter will be discussed in a special meeting.

Other business

In other business, the Forest Lake City Council:

ïreappointed Gena Doyscher to the Human Rights Commission for the three year term.

ï approved plans and specifications and authorized advertisement for bids for the 202nd sanitary sewer project.

ï approved the hiring of Joan Steffen-Baker as a 20-hour per week part time building department office assistant.

ï approved a supplemental agreement for automatic mutual assistance with Wyoming Township.

Meetings

The Forest Lake City Council regularly meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month in the city council chambers. A special meeting, to discuss an application to let bands play at Upperdeck past 10 p.m. over the Independence Day holiday and issues related to the comprehensive plan is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 30.

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