| Russells Point mayor asks for increased enforcement of zoning rules, ordinances |
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| Written by Editorial |
| Thursday, 31 May 2012 14:15 |
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Editor’s note: The following was compiled from the Russells Point Village Council regular meeting minutes from May 21. RUSSELLS POINT – In hopes of making the village of Russells Point a safe and clean place to live, work and visit, Mayor Robin Reames is cracking down on residents not following village zoning codes and ordinances. During council’s May 21 meeting, Reames said she has asked Zoning Officer Joel Kranenburg to be diligent in patrolling the village for any cases of noncompliance to the zoning codes and ordinances. She reminded citizens this action is in the best interest of the village. Reames went on to state the zoning officer’s mission is to enforce the village ordinances that village council has put into place. If a citizen has an objection to an ordinance, Reames said it can be brought to the attention of council members during any village council meeting. Noise ordinance In response to recent noise complaints from village residents, council approved on first reading only the newly-drafted noise ordinance for the village. The ordinance still has to be read and passed two more times before becoming a law. The ordinance states, “No person shall generate or permit to be generated unreasonable noise or loud sound which is likely to cause inconvenience or annoyance to persons of ordinary sensibilities by means of a radio, phonograph, television, tape player, loud speaker or any other sound-amplifying device or by any horn, drum, piano or other musical percussion instrument. “No operator or passenger of a motor vehicle shall operate or permit the operation of any sound amplification system which can be heard outside the vehicle from 50 or more feet from such vehicle when the vehicle is being operated or parked upon a street or highway.”
The ordinance also establishes decibel levels during the day (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and at night (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.). “It is prima facie unreasonable to cause, suffer, allow or permit the operation of any sound source on a particular category of property or any public space or right-of-way in such a manner as to create a sound level that exceeds the background sound level by at least 10 decibels from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and by at least five decibels from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. when measured at or within the real property line of the receiving property. Such a sound source shall constitute an unreasonable noise disturbance,” the ordinance states. Individuals guilty of generating unreasonable noise will receive a minor misdemeanor charge on first offense. The ordinance goes on to state, “If the offender persists generating or permitting to be generated unreasonable noise after reasonable warning or request to desist, generating unreasonable noise is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. Further, upon a person being convicted of this section more than once, each subsequent conviction after the first conviction shall be a misdemeanor of the third degree.” In other business: •After attending a recent Indian Joint Fire District meeting, council member Dave Leonard stated Fire Chief Rick Kirkpatrick is planning to resign from the position, but he will remain on as a volunteer fireman. Leonard said the plan is that Mark Gibson will take over as acting fire chief. •Council was informed the new police cruiser is now in service. •Police Chief Joe Freyhof said approximately 50 children participated in the annual Bike Rodeo, and every child who attend now has a new bike helmet. Freyhof reminded village residents the annual Safety Town program will be held June 18-20. Registration is currently taking place at the municipal building. •The Parks and Recreation Board decided Leppich Field, Sunnyside Park and the Municipal Park will each be represented by subcommittees. •Council passed on first reading only an ordinance waiving the requirement of the fiscal officer to be a resident of the village. •Solicitor Rob Eshenbaugh said an ordinance concerning the collection of franchise fees from Time Warner Cable is in the process of being drafted. Despite being told the village could collect as much as 5 percent in franchise fees, council decided to keep the current rate of 3 percent. •Eshenbaugh noted he is in the process of drafting a new ordinance concerning junk vehicles located within village limits. •Council noted the Russells Point Neighborhood Watch group is selling American flags for its Patriotic Point Project. The flags range in price from 50 cents to $12. •A car seat safety check event will be held June 9 at the municipal building. |
