City Officials Disagree with Resident over Noise Ordinance Violations, will Issue Formal Opinion in Coming Weeks

Downtown Jamestown Resident Gary Templin (right) discusses the issue of amplified noise in the downtown area with the Jamestown Public Safety Committee and city attorney Peter Larson during a committee meeting on Monday, April 15, 2019.

JAMESTOWN – Jamestown’s new city attorney will be meeting in the coming weeks with a city resident who’s voiced his concerns over alleged violations of the city noise ordinance as it pertains to outdoor music being allowed during certain special events downtown.

During Monday night’s City Council Public Safety Committee meeting, the committee met once again with resident Gary Templin. Last week Templin appeared before the committee to inform city officials they are violating city code when the committee approves special event permits that involve activities featuring amplified music in an outdoor setting downtown.

Special events in the past that have allowed for outdoor music include the Third Thursday concert series in the Wintdergarden Plaza, the Wood Park Wednesday concerts, live music during the Cruz’ In classic car shows, and the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival Block Party in front of the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.

This week, the committee responded to those concerns by having city attorney Peter Larson on hand to respond, stating that the city disagrees with Templin’s reading of the law.

Templin again reiterated his interpretation.

“According to your zoning ordinance, no outdoor entertainment is permitted, other than in the C-M, the L-M, and the M districts. That does not incorporate any of the downtown,” Templin responded. “So no outdoor entertainment is permitted in the downtown area. And you’re telling me that’s not true.”

Larson didn’t have prepared opinion available and told Templin he would work to write on up in order to provide the specific reasons why the city disagrees.

“At the direction of the council, I will draft an opinion for you that will lay out why I think your interpretation is incorrect and can provide that for you and to the council,” Larson said.

A specific timeline was not provided for when that opinion would be prepared but Larson did tell Templin he would notify him as soon as it was so the two sides could meet to further discuss the matter.