Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Noise bylaw roars through council

Wayne Moore - Castanet Aug 23, 2011
Don`t come roaring through the streets or lakes of Kelowna unless you`re willing to pay the price. That's the message Kelowna Council sent Monday afternoon in giving first three readings to a new method of enforcing the city's noise bylaw.  Council voted in favour of turning certain components of the city's noise bylaw over to the RCMP, who will purchase a number of sound meters to monitor noise emanating from motorcycles, boats and car stereos.  The new bylaw, crafted from a current bylaw in Edmonton, would set the ceiling at 92 decibels for motorcycles at idle, 96 decibels when motorcycles are up to speed, 90 decibels for car stereos and 85 decibels for boats. Police would have the ability to issue fines of $500 or $1,000.  Luke Fournier with the Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council told Councillors the decibel readings for motorcycle noise is endorsed by his organization which he says represents all major motorcycle manufacturers in Canada. "All of the member companies I represent support this approach," says Fournier. "We developed a model bylaw which is being used in Edmonton and two other cities in Ontario and New Brunswick. The results have been positive."(more)

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