it being pointed out that at the public
participation meeting held in connection with this matter, the following
individuals made a presentation in connection therewith:
·
J.B.
Young – representing Fanshawe Student Union, noting preference for Option B
for decibel level; noting past experience that Fanshawe has never been fined;
stating that student life has changed, therefore they would like to see hours
extended; students don’t go out until 9:30 or 10 pm and therefore can’t
support the festivals; support midnight curfew.
·
B.
Porter, Home County Music and Art Festival –prefer option A for hours of
operation, to respect needs of residents; start programming at noon, in order
to meet needs of community; mindful of volunteers, however would like a short
grace period to facilitate technical glitches or encores. Sound level support
Option C would be preferred; in order to better reflect the peaks and valleys
of live music productions; aim to remain within the permissible range; has
only been charged once, in 2011; sound crew always watches decibel levels
during the exhibition; noting inappropriateness of previous charge.
·
B.
Exley – 1014 Wellington – prefer Option A, or lower; in recent years people
living 5km have heard the stage show; explanation related to the effect of
increasing decibel levels – incremental; notation of impacts on person health
at various locations and levels; hours of operation Option A – any benefits
to downtown businesses will be affective if festivals go late; residential
development will be affected if hours are extended; protection of quality of
community – an increasing number are older in age; rights of the minority;
past involvement in music festivals across Canada and internationally – must
respect neighbours.
·
P.
Woodford, 606 Waterloo Street – echoing the previous comments; love the
festivals in the downtown, but want to continue to enjoy own property and
home; issue is really divisive and unnecessary; keep to Options A.
·
M.
Ratcliffe – agree with previous comments made; Rock the Park – exceeded 38
times in 2011, Sunfest 10 times last year – what assurances are there that
any changes will not continue to be broken?
·
C.
Engelmeyer, 17 Willingdon Ave. – if changes are imposed, suggest the
development of a concert venue away from the downtown/residential areas.
·
K.
Bice, 2 Leslie street – attached submission; concern with on-going
review of existing rules; support Option A – in both cases.
·
K.
Rablyn, 311 Hyman – live downtown and enjoy; more families moving to downtown
area; supports continues vibrancy of downtown; to increase sound or hours,
will negatively impact existing demographics of downtown; doesn’t want
downtown to be strictly a party-town; support proposed Option A in both
cases, Council should maintain these rules in recognition of existing
residents and their efforts to keep downtown strong; look to other larger
cities like Vancouver.
·
D.
Bale, 776 Colbourne Street – notation of the residences of all members of
City Council – don’t need to be concerned.
·
D.
Wood, resident of Centennial House – surprised with previous comments;
speaking as a classical musician, noting experience of the history of study
of music; this discussion is missing notation about acoustics – music/sound
waves, doesn’t believe in decibels – need to measure in more than one place,
and more than once.
·
M.
Lavoie, 4 Rogers – love all the festivals, the way they are; would recognize
some compromise with respect to encores; Rock the Park – safety concerns with
respect to the crowds and available exits with this event, including
ambulance access due to parking (motorcycles’ noise); comparison to Bayfest,
but the facilities are not at all similar; consider to allow later hours on
weekends, but not weekdays; Rock the Park infractions – 38 times in 2011,
what will happen if rules are increased; concerned about security of personal
property and the security outside of the park for this event; not sure what
the benefits of these festivals is – Bethany’s Hope should pass the hat in
the Black Friars area, rather than extending the hours; doesn’t consider the
attendees of Rock the Park would be the same clientele for museums, etc;
invitation to Council members to attend their home, to experience in person.
·
J.
Martin, Dufferin Street – acoustics – no mention to the resolve of the ideas;
the bandshell in Victoria park doesn’t function acoustically – it needs
baffles, to produce good sound; Toronto has some experience, baffles could
assist with the proper type of resonance in a smaller area; fireworks – the
sound bounces off the building; concern with respect to being awakened from
REM sleep – need to end soon to prevent this; need for consideration for
residents.
·
B.
Waite, 520 Wellington Street – a few years ago the decision was made for 11
pm, to be acceptable to both residents and festival-goers – it was
co-operation; the issue is raised again, and the residents are not happy;
concerned with increased alcohol comsumption; notation of Fleming Drive
incident – the cost, and the image of London internationally; this
resurrected idea should be forgotten – support Option A, recently
implemented.
·
A.
Caxaj, Sunfest – concerned with the conservative image of London, outside of
London; too many regulations and impediments; 360 days of hard work to
prepare for the festival each year; stress the importance of arts in this
community; large portion of the community that is not represented here, and
some of the festivals recognize this and celebrate it; would support an increase
in the decibel levels to allow for flexibility and would like additional time
for flexibility due to delays, etc; in other countries there are festivals
that go all night long; there are really very few festivals that would
affect.
·
O.
Hobson, 45 Evergreen Avenue – notation of curfew in Victoria Park of 10 PM –
not offensive activities; problems of ‘guests’ to downtown – all a part of
downtown living; please keep to your noise to a reasonable level, while
you’re here; if these regulations are to be extended, Council should also
consider lifting of the curfew for all residents who may want to enjoy the
parks after 10 PM.
·
I.
Hesketh, 836 Waterloo – as per the attached submission; choose to live
downtown, and accept some of the conditions that go with it.
·
J.
oneil, 350 – live downtown, and accept the noise; notation of all noise that
is downtown; concern with raising the limit, because there will be more
infractions, - comparison to speeding; look at how the law is applied, there
should be some flexibility; if the noise (or music) is not appealing, there
are different effects – and it is much more profound; would like to see the
hours extended in order to have the flexibility to enjoy the festivals for
those who don’t have flexible hours; Royal Astronomical Society – would like
additional hours in the park for this.
·
B.
Dunn, 34 Empress Ave., - 20 years in neighbourhood; very active in
neighbourhood (with City Councillors and staff too); good neighbourhoods make
good cities; more people are coming downtown, and taking pride in the
neighbourhoods; concerned that these sudden changes may undo the good
progress and co-operation of the past; musical tastes are varied, does
support festivals – agree with existing rules, but would support some
flexibility (with peaks and valleys) with the enforcement of the existing
policies to accommodate potential issues that may arise; doesn’t want to take
money from charities, but there are lots of private companies making money;
existing policy has good balance.
·
B.
Bosack, 587 Dufferin – congratulate Sunfest for the many wonderful acts they
bring to London; has stopped attending some festivals due to the noise –
difficult to converse – knows others who feel the same way; when music is so
loud, it becomes noise and is offensive and a pollutant; need to reduce
pollution; opportunity for Council to take a really progressive position –
should work to reduce noise levels across the City.
·
S.
Forston, Huron Street – can hear the music, even though she doesn’t live in
the downtown; attends Rock the Park regularly, doesn’t ask about decibel
levels (or hours) when buying a ticket, but rather to see a specific artist;
concern with comparisons to other noise, such as lawnmowers; skeptical that
by-laws will keep people away; perhaps time to look at relocating Rock the
Park to another venue that won’t interfere with the livability of downtown.
·
D.
Carson, Picton Street – many points have already been covered and noted; we
are not talking about just 3 festivals, there are events almost every weekend
all summer long; there are many events throughout the year; has lived
downtown about 8 years ago, when the rules were established for noise levels
and hours of operation; would consider leaving the downtown if extensions are
granted; not fair for residents to have to endure additional conditions,
support remaining same
·
Y.
King, 67 Sherwood Ave. – concern that can hear the noise from home in old
north from downtown; has been advised of safe levels of music/noise in
personal workplace; a good song doesn’t get any better if it’s played loud;
feels bad for those living downtown, know what it’s like being close to
downtown; notation of experience of small towns in Europe; potential for
London Ontario is going down the drain, are we trying to attract people for 4
days, or for permanent residences;
·
R.
Thompson, 1437 Killaly – can hear festivals at her home.
·
Adelaide/Huron
resident – repeat previous comments
·
J.
Small, 64 Sherwood Ave. - sees the potential of London, these changes will
ensure London Ontario will never be a world-class city; wanted to live
downtown when relocated here, but now wouldn’t want to live downtown;
sympathy for those who live downtown; the by-laws are already generous; only
Sarnia and Windsor go later than 11 pm, and only on weekends; only Hamilton
has increased decibels, and it is restricted to one venue location; WHO –
report of 1980, and concern with noise levels and affects on people trying to
sleep; other municipalities have “destination” festivals; Victoria Park is
not an appropriate venue; have already struck a balance with existing policy
·
J.
Rivera, 520 WellingtonStreet – what impresses me is not just the festivals,
but the walkability of the whole downtown; need to enforce all existing
by-laws; have to give up your whole summer.
·
J.
Adams, 1401 Talbot Street – get up at 5 am everyday; like my window open all
year; no issues with the noise, but the status quo is preferred for that
reason; respect different opinions and challenges, may support another Option
that would encourage additional residents in the downtown; go beyond what the
presented options are; need a more nuanced approach – room for exceptions;
there are many different view points.
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