news No Change on Noise
Council Votes to Keep Existing Noise Ordinance in Place Downtown Motivated by the latest surge in COVID-19 cases, Gulfport City Council streamed the August, July 17 meeting via Zoom and allowed “at home” public comment for the first time in months. The most heated topic was Gulfport’s noise ordinance, which was revisited after a month-long trial period that raised the decibel level, but cut noise off an hour earlier than the city’s inplace ordinance. Housekeeping, event approval and COVID-19 discussions followed with significantly less debate. The city also presented the Spirit of Gulfport Award to Jax Taylor of Jax In and Out for service to the community. “I am honored, very honored,” Taylor said. With a high of 14 “Zoomers” watching from screens elsewhere, the council decided to continue virtual participation at future meetings for now. No Change on Noise Ordinance Music coming from Gulfport bars and restaurants, namely in the city’s waterfront district, has created conflict between business owners and
ABBY BAKER
By Abby Baker
Mayor Sam Henderson, left, with the owner of Jax In and Out, Jax Taylor, who received the Spirit of Gulfport Award.
nearby residents who say they are tired of the noise at night. After months of discussion and public input at council, as well as a trial period for a possible compromise on downtown noise levels, council voted to keep the existing noise level ordinance at a maximum of 65 decibels, dropping to 55 at 11 p.m. “The noise is too loud; I don’t care
GULF BEACHES LAW, P. A. Karen S. Keaton, Esquire ESTATE PLANNING
ELDER LAW
PROBATE
CORPORATE
www.Gulf B eachesLaw.com
Your Trusted Local Attorney! Karen S. Keaton, Esquire
Estate Planning including Trusts, Wills, Health Care Directives, and Powers of Attorney, Trust & Probate Estate Administration, Elder Law including Medicaid & Special Needs Trusts, Corporate & Business Planning
We are available for phone consultations! 2816 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL 33707 • (727) 822-2200
4
about your meters,” the first speaker, an unidentified resident near the North End Taphouse, said to council. “You guys are bullies. I’m walking the dog six blocks away and I can hear the damn music.” “The courtyard now is more vibrant, more busy than ever,” said Barbara Banno, Gulfport Merchants Chamber president and owner of Stella’s in the Village Courtyard. “It’s a focal point that wasn’t there before. I don’t like the courtyard being singled out because of the music. I can guarantee if you go to any of those other locations, the music will be over that 65 decibel.” As part of a 30-day trial period that started June 16, local live music venues, such as the North End Taphouse and Eddies, formerly Salty’s, were allowed a maximum noise of 75 decibels for most of the day, with a drop to 55 after 10 p.m. “We’re not opposed to doing things at the Taphouse to make it better,” said co-owner Kelly Wright. “But if you’re a performer, you don’t play consistently at 65 decibels. I have kept that meter as close to 65 as possible but then I need to take people off the stage or tell them to stop playing.”
theGabber.com | August 26, 2021 - September 1, 2021
