The Reno City Council last week discussed whether there should be a noise ordinance downtown. Residents complain about noise from outdoor concerts, live entertainment, people, cars, stereos and motorcycles.
The city’s Angela Fuss said officials had received feedback from community members complaining about noise and said an ordinance could be one way to address problems. She also suggested a more extensive discussion could be held to discuss noise in general.
There are no noise regulations within downtown, but people have increasingly moved into downtown condos and apartments.
Council member Kathleen Taylor said she believes one to three “irresponsible users” downtown are causing 90% of the problem. “I think we can address those without a noise ordinance, which would be a long-term goal,” she said.
Taylor asked the interim city manager to “step up enforcement” on the irresponsible users. “I mean, my dogs are deaf, and they woke up during some of these things,” she said.
Mayor Hillary Schieve said she would like to see more of what they’ve recently done with liquor stores. She said that if these businesses downtown can’t be “good actors,” they’ll be shut down. She said she also believes the “motorcycles and drag racing are out of control” near McCarran Boulevard.
Ebert said she would like to see noise ordinances outside downtown and special use permits revoked for businesses that become a nuisance due to noise.
“I think we should have a downtown district, and I think we shouldn’t have a noise ordinance there,” she said. “I think our downtown should be a downtown, and we are supposed to be a 24/7 town. I’m sympathetic to people who are upset by noise, but last time I checked, we have a 70% vacancy for our shops and things downtown.
“I don’t want to make it harder for our businesses to thrive,” she added. “If a business owner is telling me they’re not doing their business at 2 p.m. on a weekday, they’re doing it at night and weekends, then I want to be supportive of that so they can stay open and we’re not at 80% vacancy. Our downtown should be where these activities happen.”
Ebert said that if there’s nothing to do in the downtown area, people will stop coming, and the existing businesses will also close.
Based on council feedback, Fuss said she will return with all final code changes for approval later.
