NOTL noise bylaw more bark than bite

A “lack of teeth” in the noise bylaw in Niagara-on-the-Lake sparked calls by town council Monday for more tickets and fewer warnings for establishments, such as the Pillar and Post Inn and Spa, due to numerous complaints about their outdoor events.

The noise bylaw was updated in 2012 to include stiffer fines and late night patrols by bylaw officers. Rolf Wiens, manager of enforcement for the town, told council in June that the complaints about partying at rental houses were becoming more frequent and “significantly worse.”

On Monday, council approved expansion plans by Pillar and Post that will include another outdoor event area. Coun. Betty Disero said the majority of the noise complaints received by the town this summer involved the inn’s patio.

Chief administrative officer Milena Avramovic said staff will look at ways to manage noise through the hotel’s site plan when it comes forward. The site plan will also come to council for approval, rather than the usual procedure of being handled by planning staff.

To deal with noise bylaw violations throughout the town, Avramovic suggested that the bylaw be re-opened to give the town more tools to deal with violators and less flexibility on providing warnings before tickets are issued.

‘”It does seem that we don’t have any teeth when it comes to noise,” she said. “We may want to tweak it (the bylaw) and put more onus on those having events, rather than on the town.”

For example, Avramovic said, establishments hosting outdoor events could be required to use a device to monitor their sound level and if it reaches an unacceptable level, they could be denied permits for future events.

She said events are currently being monitored by bylaw staff, but after they leave the premise, the noise level usually goes back up.

Coun. Martin Mazza suggested staff could be equipped with noise monitors to measure the levels.

“I think they were given far too many warnings,” said Coun. Paolo Miele. “We have bylaws on the books.”

“Neighbours should have quality of life after 11 p.m.,” he added. “Shut the music down.”

Disero called the late-night noise problem “one of the biggest issues in town” and said the town needs to figure out to allow establishments and wineries to continue holding events, but respecting the rights of residents “to leave in peace and quiet.”