minhpd 10-25-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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assessments. He added that the pandemic made sidewalk compliance difficult and that conversation on the affordability of sidewalk replacement should be continued. Motion by Chairman Shachner, seconded by Councilmember Rader to recommend Ordinance 34-2021 to the full Council for adoption. All members voted in favor. Motion passed. Ordinance 34-2021 was recommended for adoption. ORDINANCE 35-2021 -AN ORDINANCE to take effect immediately provided it receives the affirmative vote of at least two thirds of the members of Council to amend Section 515.05 of the Noise Control Ordinance to adjust the maximum sound levels permissible by the receiving land use. (1st read and referred to HPD 10/4/21) Commissioner Parmelee explained that legislation approving residential AC units running at 70 decibels within 2 feet of another property was introduced and passed into the code a few years ago. He pointed out contradictions within the code that state lower decibel levels (50, 60, etc.) for the units in the evening. He went on to state that these thresholds make compliance for larger chillers and industrial AC units nearly impossible. He noted that a building on the Gold Coast just spent$80,000 on a new unit that runs at 52 decibels. Chairman Shachner confirmed with the commissioner that this legislation only concerns AC units in all zoning districts. If other noise occurs, the Building & Housing Department send folks out to a property in the evening to measure decibel levels. Councilmember Rader inquired how this legislation came about. Commissioner Parmelee indicated that a building owner on the Gold Coast knew that the structure's AC unit was shot and replaced it to be a good neighbor. A resident next door hangs a decibel reader from her balcony, which measures at a different standard than the city's street side measurement. Management at her building has offered to move her free of cost to another unit in the building with a similar view of the lake, to no avail. The commissioner added that he is trying to make the noise ordinance as fair as he can across the board, as there is a great deal of contradictions in the codified ordinances. Councilmember Kepple asked how many decibels an average residential AC unit or a window unit gives off. Commissioner Parmelee indicated that window units tend to run at 75-76 decibels. An installed residential unit between a 13-15 SEER typically runs at 70 at start up and 65 while running. The committee concluded that the bigger buildings are being held to a higher standard than normal residential buildings. Motion by Chairman Shachner, seconded by Councilmember Rader to recommend Ordinance 35-2021 to the full Council for adoption. All members voted in favor. Motion passed. Ordinance 35-2021 was recommended for adoption. ORDINANCE 36-2021 -AN ORDINANCE to take effect January 1, 2022 to amend Section 1309.15 Plans Examiner Fee to establish a fee for residential plans examining to reflect Lakewood's cost in reviewing such plans. (1st read and referred to HPD 10/4/21)