FORT WORTH -- After hearing concerns that the West 7th entertainment district was not part of the more lenient mixed-use standards under proposed revisions to the city's noise ordinance, city officials said Monday night that they would consider adding portions of the booming area before presenting it to the City Council, which could happen as early as March.
Following a meeting on the ordinance at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Dana Burghdoff, the city's deputy planning director, said setting the boundaries for the West 7th entertainment district would be a challenge since the city doesn't want to cause problems in nearby residential areas.The proposed ordinance would set firm decibel limits for a noise violation rather than requiring an individual to swear out a complaint and appear in court. Under the current ordinance, what qualifies as a noise violation is subjective, city officials said.At the 11/2-hour meeting, city officials heard residents complain about cars with booming stereos being driving down West Seventh Street and were asked whether wind chimes could qualify as a noise violation. Residents also asked about a proposed change in which pet owners could be cited if their dog barks for 10 minutes or longer.For bar noise or loud music, the proposed changes would vary by the time of day, similar to rules North Richland Hills passed last year. In nonresidential and mixed-use areas like downtown, the limit would be 80 decibels from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 70 decibels from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.In residential areas, the proposed limits would be 70 decibels from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 60 decibels from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.Decibel limits wouldn't be measured from the point of origin but from the property where the complaint is made.City officials said the number of complaints has dropped in recent months, both in downtown and the West 7th area, as some bars have closed and some noise issues have been addressed.Bill Hanna, 817-390-7698Twitter: @fwhannaHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
