2008 Woodie Awards
City may toughen noise violation ordinance
Brady Holt
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: News
The College Park City Council delayed action on a controversial change to its noise ordinance policies last night after several council members admitted they had misunderstood the issue and needed to re-evaluate it.
District 3 Councilwoman Stephanie Stullich had suggested that College Park amend its city code to charge a double fine to anyone who violates the city's noise ordinances twice in a year, instead of within a six-month period.
Stullich argued the move would crack down on rowdy parties, but other council members said extending this period would open up the possibility for them to receive heftier fines based on the transgressions of previous tenants.
Under the current policy, any student - a term council members used interchangeably with "resident" at last night's public hearing - found to be creating too much noise by city code enforcers faces a $500 fine. If the student doesn't own his or her house, the landlord receives a warning.
A second violation within six months of the first would result in a $1,000 fine for the tenant and a $500 fine for the landlord. Any further violations within six months would lead to a $1,000 fine for both. Stullich's proposal would extend that period to twelve months.
City Public Services Director Bob Ryan also pointed out that noise fines may not only apply to residents at their homes, but can also be levied if they're caught exceeding noise limits anywhere. These fines, too, carry the double penalty for repeat offenders.
Landlord's Committee Chairman David Dorsch said that fining landlords for their tenants' transgressions unfairly puts them in the role of "baby-sitter."
"These are adults out there living in these houses," Dorsch said. "Do you send a notice out to a mortgage holder because the homeowner has noise ordinance?"
Student Government Association President Andrew Friedson had a separate concern: Landlords who are fined would send the bill to their tenants rather than paying it themselves.
District 3 Councilwoman Stephanie Stullich had suggested that College Park amend its city code to charge a double fine to anyone who violates the city's noise ordinances twice in a year, instead of within a six-month period.
Stullich argued the move would crack down on rowdy parties, but other council members said extending this period would open up the possibility for them to receive heftier fines based on the transgressions of previous tenants.
Under the current policy, any student - a term council members used interchangeably with "resident" at last night's public hearing - found to be creating too much noise by city code enforcers faces a $500 fine. If the student doesn't own his or her house, the landlord receives a warning.
A second violation within six months of the first would result in a $1,000 fine for the tenant and a $500 fine for the landlord. Any further violations within six months would lead to a $1,000 fine for both. Stullich's proposal would extend that period to twelve months.
City Public Services Director Bob Ryan also pointed out that noise fines may not only apply to residents at their homes, but can also be levied if they're caught exceeding noise limits anywhere. These fines, too, carry the double penalty for repeat offenders.
Landlord's Committee Chairman David Dorsch said that fining landlords for their tenants' transgressions unfairly puts them in the role of "baby-sitter."
"These are adults out there living in these houses," Dorsch said. "Do you send a notice out to a mortgage holder because the homeowner has noise ordinance?"
Student Government Association President Andrew Friedson had a separate concern: Landlords who are fined would send the bill to their tenants rather than paying it themselves.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
Zack
posted 3/12/08 @ 6:13 AM EST
Stop screwing students over!! We´re going to find ways to party no matter what you do, you cannot stop partying.
Terp Alum
posted 3/12/08 @ 7:35 AM EST
And people wonder why College Park is such a terrible college town...
Joe Francis
posted 3/12/08 @ 3:28 PM EST
Did they have any suggestions on how landlords should keep the kids from making too much noise? If the landlord doesn't live next door they will not be able to hear it if the students violate the noise ordinance. (Continued…)
Matt Z
posted 3/13/08 @ 9:03 AM EST
"After a lengthy public hearing, the council decided to put off making any decisions until after the university's spring break. It will be accepting written statements through next Tuesday evening. (Continued…)
NO MORE
posted 4/13/08 @ 8:19 PM EST
We FINALLY got rid of the juvenile delinquents living across the street when the landlord got tired of having his property destroyed each term. Up until he threw out the last bunch, he didn't give a hoot about any problems the first-time-away-from-mamas brats created for the neighborhood-only about cashing their rent checks! I think they should both be fined- heavily! We were stuck living amongst first time drinkers/bingers, racing cars,fighting and puking in the streets 7 days and nights a week!
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