Huntsville City killing downtown once again (Section, Midway: apartment complexes, lofts, condominiums)

[dijkstra]

Here we go again. We constantly hear how the City of Huntsville wants to have a vibrant downtown. Who knows how much tax payer's money has been thrown away on poorly planned and executed ideas. Now here comes their latest stroke of genius in the form of a 62 decibel sound ordinance for live bands. Apparently residents at the new Belk Hudson Lofts have been complaining about the live music at Humphrey's bar and grill across the street and this weekend a band was given a $500 ticket for exceeding the 62 decibel limit.

First off, 62 decibels? Really? I know people who talk louder than that. Here is a thought, if you don't want to hear live music on the weekends, don't buy an apartment directly across the street from the bars. When does all this stupidity surrounding downtown ever end?

[bmrisko]

Originally Posted by dijkstra

Here is a thought, if you don't want to hear live music on the weekends, don't buy an apartment directly across the street from the bars. When does all this stupidity surrounding downtown ever end?

I also must add that I have to question the construction (or at least window selection) of these lofts. I have stayed in plenty of hotels in the middle of downtown entertainment districts, as well as the Renaissance Concourse hotel at the ATL airport which is right beside the runway. I have never once lost any sleep in these locations as the windows and doors are typically pretty soundproof. Personally, if I were to ever buy any condo in a downtown area, I would make sure to visit it during the week and on weekends at various times of day to see what the noise level was really like. Huntsville is not helping themselves any by implementing this idiotic ordinance. Last time I checked, vacuum cleaners and hairdryers create more than 62db worth of noise. Are people who live downtown not allowed to dry their hair or vacuum their floors anymore without fear of getting fined?

[MrBobo]

Originally Posted by bmrisko

Last time I checked, vacuum cleaners and hairdryers create more than 62db worth of noise. Are people who live downtown not allowed to dry their hair or vacuum their floors anymore without fear of getting fined?

I think those noises are exempted in Section12-262 (13)

Noise sources within multifamily dwellings, office and apartment complexes, condominiums and similar structures occupied by more than one tenant which impact only those persons within the same dwelling, complex or building.

Here is the ordinance:

http://www.hsvcity.com/natres/noise1.htm#Sec.12-291

[BMW Dave]

Who on earth would move into a new upscale urban loft and COMPLAIN about the noises of the city they want so desperately to live in??????

This would be like moving to 5pts and complaining about hipsters...haha

Now, I can say the bands are loud, but it is ridiculous to ticket a band for $500. Those guys probably barely made that for their gig.

If I could even afford to live in the Belk Hudson (which I would LOVE to) I wouldn't LOVE the loud music, but I certainly wouldn't file a complaint, I mean the bars have been there for decades and I knew going in that I was buying a condo/loft across the street from a major urban entertainment venue.

[writerwife]

Kinda like the folks that buy homes near the airport or in flight paths and then call to complain about the noise every day.

[Michaelrj9]

Originally Posted by writerwife

Kinda like the folks that buy homes near the airport or in flight paths and then call to complain about the noise every day.

And actually win too. I know at Midway airport (Chicago) that happened and the planes had to move their holding pattern while waiting for their turn to come in.

[unlblkrubi]

I thought this was the whole point of living downtown and enjoying the entertainment and such.

[E Limestone Dude]

To be fair, I doubt the residents knew how loud it would be when they moved into their new condos. Not many home tours at 10:00pm to experience the band noise.

Not sure how this could be resolved other than both parties (lofts and Humphrey's) installing noise cancelling items.

[flatheadfreddy]

The noise ordinance, has been enforced only at the whim of those that are "connected". I have friends, that have complained about the parking garage blowers & cleanup, only to be told that there is nothing that can be done. I would not be surprised, if this was someone complaining that had the authorities "ear".
However, having said that, I am sure that a sound engineer, or an audio dynamics engineer, could solve the problem & get it worked out. The folks at the Belk Hudson Studios, thought they wont the battle. & for a moment they did. However, their facebook "advertising" for a place to enjoy the night life was deluged with negative press & postings. "Woah, now we can't sell these danged things for all this negative publicity. Never figured on that, maybe we need to give this another look, and see if we can work this out instead of using the patronage hammer". Ha, backfired on them.
Anyways I hope it can be worked out, I like going to Humphrey's, and the other venues around the square, with live music. But if I have to sit there and strain to listen to a 62 dB band, I will simly have to go to Deatur to the Brick, or somewhere that doesn't have these insane restrictions.

[ColdAilment]

This is why I could never live in a southern city, and consequently this is one of the indicators as to why many southern cities have poor downtowns.

I thought Huntsville would be a little bit more progressive than this, but it's still Alabama. *shrugs*