12 hours ago
‘Common sense adjustment': Portland leaders unanimously approve noise code impacting musicians
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Just as summer concert season ramps up, a to make Portland's noise ordinance more fair and concise has been approved.
Portland City Council approved an emergency ordinance to consolidate local noise enforcement on Wednesday. The city previously had two noise-related codes.
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While Title 18 based enforcement on factors like sound levels, location and time of day, Title 14A.30.010 simply establishes that it is illegal to 'make any excessive, unreasonable, or unusually loud sound which disturbs the peace and quiet of any neighborhood or which injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace, or safety of any person.'
Local music advocates have argued that the latter code should be repealed due to its failure to include more objective guidance. When District 1 Councilor Jamie Dunphy in April, the Community and Public Safety Committee unanimously voted to refer it to city council with a recommendation to approve it.
At Wednesday's meeting, Dunphy asserted the proposal is a 'common sense adjustment' on regulations that have disproportionately impacted some members of the community.
'A clearer, more direct system will increase community belief in our noise control's ability to do a good job,' Evan Hoffer, a music and arts policy advisor to Dunphy, added. 'We started this five years ago, trying to figure out what was causing Black-owned music businesses to close — and we found evidence that this was part of why.'
Portland's Noise Review Board has also discussed the proposal over the past five years, according to Chair Mary Sipe. She said the group has unanimously voted to support the amended code as well.
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MusicPortland Executive Director Meara McLaughlin told councilors that the Rose City's music scene is one of its 'greatest cultural and economic assets,' but it has been stifled by conflicting enforcement and permitting systems.
'Portland has the talent,' McLaughlin said. 'We have the venue, we have the legacy. What we need now is leadership — leadership that sees music not as a problem to contain, but as an asset to grow.'
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