HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-17-080 - Frosh Circus Noise ExemptionStaff Report
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REPORT TO:
Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
August 28, 2017
SUBMITTED BY:
Gloria MacNeil, Director of By-law Enforcement, 519-741-2200,
ext. 7952
PREPARED BY:
Gloria MacNeil, Director of By-law Enforcement, 519-741-2200,
ext. 7952
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
1
DATE OF REPORT:
August 21, 2017
REPORT NO.:
CSD- 17-080
SUBJECT:
NOISE EXEMPTION REQUEST — FROSH CIRCUS — BINGEMANS
RECOMMENDATION:
That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code
be granted to the organizers of the Frosh Circus event to be held at Bingeman's,
on Friday September 8, 2017, between the hours of 2:30pm and 11 PM. This
exemption is subject to the following conditions, which, if not complied with, will
render the noise exemption null and void:
a) There shall be no offensive language, in the opinion of City staff, generated
from this music festival, audible in any adjacent residential neighbourhood.
The event organizers will ensure that there is an on-site contact person
accessible to correspond with City staff at all times during the event;
b) The event organizer will be responsible for the cost of a pay -duty Noise
Officer, to be assigned specifically to this event;
c) The event organizers agree to respond accordingly to requests from City
staff, during the event, in order to address community concerns that may
arise with regard to the impact of noise heard within adjacent residential
areas; and
d) The maximum decibel level (dba) audible from a residential area shall not
exceed 65 dba.
BACKGROUND:
The event on Friday September 8, 2017 will be an all ages event with a 19 years of age
or older licensed section. It will include the playing of electronic dance music by several
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different DJ's. As such, they are requesting an exemption from Chapter 450 (Noise) of
the City's Municipal Code.
REPORT:
The outdoor music will be provided by a series of DJ's playing at alternating times.
There will be one stage and it will be located in the lower area of Bingeman's and will be
directed to the East.
Staff worked with the event organizers a couple of years ago in an effort to mitigate
sound output and complaints that had been received previously. The sound dispersion
model we established was successful and it is our recommendation that we continue to
permit a maximum decibel level of 65dba, in a residential area for this event. In 2014,
prior to the implementation of setting a maximum sound level in a residential zone, we
received 16 complaints for this event; in 2015 with a maximum level of 65dba and a
dedicated Noise Officer who proactively monitored the sound levels throughout the
event, we received a total of 3 complaints over a 2 day period and in 2016 we received
no complaints for the one day event.
It should be noted that weather conditions can play a role with regard to sound
dispersion. At this point it is difficult to predict the impact of weather during the event,
however it will be closely monitored during the event.
Staff and the event organizers will conduct sound testing the day before or the morning
of the event to ensure that the equipment is set to produce the appropriate output to be
able to conform to the prescribed dba level.
The By-law Enforcement Division will again be assigning a Noise Officer to monitor this
event. The event organizers will ensure that there is an on-site contact available during
the event who will be available to By-law Enforcement staff, if required, to address any
concerns raised.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommendation of this report supports the achievement of the City's strategic vision
through the delivery of core service.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
It is anticipated that the cost of a paid duty Noise Officer, for a period of 10 hours will be
approximately $300. This cost will be invoiced to the event organizer.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
In addition to a social campaign, the organizers are also responsible for ensuring that this event
is communicated throughout the community in advance of the event.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Michael May, Deputy CAO, Community Services Department