news Gulfport Makes Noise
Council Hears from Residents on Marina Redevelopment, Noise Ordinances By Ryan McGahan
The April 20 Gulfport City Council meeting saw a return to normalcy following the staggering four-anda-half hour previous meeting, finishing in just over 90 minutes. However, residents were vocal about the marina redevelopment and noise complaints, while council discussed a better option to enforce the city’s Human Rights Ordinance. Marina Development Discussion Continues The future of the Gulfport Marina redevelopment remains unclear following the council’s decision to revoke the eviction of Boca Ciega Yacht Club at the end of the April 6 city council meeting. However, one thing seems certain: People want more open discussion about any redevelopment plans. Public comment at the April 20 meeting began with Brian Derr presenting a letter signed by 225 residents asking for more input from those who live in the Marina District on any future plans, and for the protection of the BCYC, Lions Club and Gulfport Yacht Club buildings from demolition, and a discussion with Gulfport residents to “evaluate whether marina improvements are the top priority as the next project to fund.” A handful of other people also spoke about their desire to see more public meetings, public workshops and general discussion between city officials and the city before any big plans are set into motion. City Manager Jim O’Reilly and City Attorney Andrew Salzman later explained that they had met with leaders at Boca Ciega Yacht Club last Thursday, April 15, and would meet again April 22 to negotiate a new lease agreement that lets BCYC continue to rent their current building on a month-to-month basis. O’Reilly later said that the city is also looking into grants to fund a break-
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water park and living shoreline at the Marina that will be open to the public, and talking with BCYC about consolidating some of their storage space. “I just want it on the record that we’re not building any buildings; we’re not tearing any buildings down,” he said at the meeting, later clarifying to the Gabber, “until the city council has an opportunity in the future to take additional community input and create a long-term plan and funding for such facilities.”
in the volume level allowed by the city’s noise ordinance, currently set at 65 decibels. “A vacuum cleaner or hair dryer registers at 75 decibels. Normal conversation, ambient noise, in fact tonight, in this room, before the meeting began, was around 70 decibels,” she explained. Later in the meeting, discussion turned to an application by the Sea Dog Cantina, just north of the courtyard, requesting closure of 29th Avenue for a Cinco De Mayo party ending at 10 p.m. Attached to the Citizens Tell Bands to Quiet Down application was a letter of no objection from local neighbors, prompt More than half a dozen peoing Mayor Sam Henderson to ask ple, most living along 29th Avenue why “some of the folks who spoke near Beach Boulevard, spoke to the [about noise] tonight were some of council about excessive noise comthe neighbors who signed off on this ing from bands performing at the event, correct?” Village Courtyard, often late into “I can live with 10 o’clock,” anthe evening, they swered one resident said. “I just want it on the in a later comment. “I am just here record that we’re not “If you make it quito request that et at 10 p.m., we’re building any buildings; good.” the hours that music is played we’re not tearing any The vote on the in the courtyard buildings down.” event passed, with there by the Councilmember North End Taphouse are reduced, April Thanos dissenting due to the or at least the volume level is relack of a concrete COVID-19 safety duced.... The volume level and the plan. music being played until 11 p.m. or later several nights a week is a huge Resolutions and Discussion problem for me and my business as an Airbnb host,” Jeff Thompson, the Council also approved several resfirst of seven people to speak on the olutions, starting with reappointing topic, said. James Thaler as “Special Master,” Eileen Clancy, who lives directly a designated attorney who asbehind the courtyard, played a resists with code enforcement on an cording on her phone that she said as-needed basis. was taken in her bedroom on a Sat Council also unanimously agreed urday night after 11 p.m., in which to shift control of Board of Adjustyou can clearly hear music and ment appeals. Until now, someone laughter from outside. wishing to appeal a BoA decision “That’s from inside the house!” would pay $109 to go before council, shouted several people in the audiand failing there, could appeal to the ence while the clip was playing. local circuit court. Now appeals will Kelly Wright, owner of the North go directly to the circuit court, with End Taphouse, spoke at the previthe applicant paying $400. ous meeting asking for an increase Council also unanimously passed
theGabber.com | April 29, 2021 - May 5, 2021
