San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
SHOULD THE PADRES LIMIT CONCERTS BECAUSE OF NEIGHBOR NOISE COMPLAINTS?
YES
When people bought near Petco Park, they should have expected that there would be noise from the games in the ballpark and other events, including concerts. But they probably thought the latter would be concerts in the ballpark with the music directed at the stands, not in Gallagher Square with the noise going into the neighborhood. The Padres have been good to the downtown and a compromise should be reached, as the concerts bring people into the area and benefit the businesses nearby.
NO
The economic upside, coupled with the promise of Petco as an anchor to revitalization, must be the dominant consideration here. This sort of feels like residents next to the airport complaining about airplane noise. Which came first? While I’m sympathetic to noise complaints, residents of the Ballpark District live in prime real estate, and mostly benefit from this location premium. Perhaps a program to triple-pane windows is the better compromise.
NO
The residents living in the affected buildings willingly moved there with full knowledge that Petco Park hosted ball games and concerts. Petco Park is a huge asset to downtown and noise comes with urban living. The complaints may be valid, but it’s like the people who move under the airport flight path and then decide to complain about airplane noise. To be a good neighbor, Petco could limit concerts to a more reasonable volume level.
YES
Homeowners bought their properties with the expectation that noise levels would be maintained at tolerable levels. The sound study prepared in conjunction with the CEQA report set that limit at 95 decibels at the soundboard for concerts. The city should conduct its own third-party study to decide if sound mitigation measures are keeping noise at acceptable levels.
Jamie Moraga
Franklin Revere
NO
Petco Park and the concerts at Gallagher Square are important economic contributors to downtown and East Village, bringing thousands of visitors to the area who stay, dine, shop and support local businesses. The planned $20 million upgrade of Gallagher Square should benefit the community by attracting more residents, increasing home values, and ultimately creating additional jobs. That said, the Padres and the city should ensure entertainment at Gallagher Square complies with city municipal code sound limits and have sound monitoring at concerts.
YES
East Village has evolved into a vibrant neighborhood in part due to the stadium. The associated events drive traffic to local businesses and visitors to hotels. That said, the area is largely residential. It seems reasonable to increase some restrictions on how late and loud venues run, adjusted for weekends, holidays, etc. Simply start concerts slightly earlier and lower the maximum decibels.
YES
The city and Padres should negotiate a reasonable decibel level and appropriate language used at concerts as well as shutting it down at 10 p.m. Beyond that, Gallagher Square is part of the ballpark property managed by the Padres who are bound by the terms of a Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions agreement with adjacent parcel owners. The Padres are paying for all this and have been great neighbors. A reasonable agreement should be achievable.
NO
I don’t necessarily think the Padres should have to limit the number of concerts at Petco Park’s adjacent Gallagher Square. Nearby residents who purchased their properties after Petco Park was built should have recognized that ballparks also host concerts and other events. Having said that, the Padres should by all means comply with city ordinances — even noise ordinances, if they apply — and activities at the park should be in compliance with planning documents for the site.