My personal opinion is at first I was against the pickleball barrier to appease a couple of local residences. After thinking about it, this may be the best way for Bylaw to start enforcing the noise from aftermarket parts people are putting on these little cars to make them sound like the are jet-propelled. Not only are these aftermarket parts extremely loud and illegal, these do not meet the emissions that these vehicles are intended and designed. They also exceed the bylaw's sound requirements (that is rarely enforced locally) – this is why you do not have these issues in British Columbia with stricter emissions (enforced).
My point is that now the city has to find this $98,000.00 expenditure they could perhaps enforce the noise bylaw. For those not familiar with the bylaw, excerpts are provided below:
• 4. (1) No person shall cause, or permit to be caused, sounds that may be heard in a residential district during daytime hours at a level greater than 65 dBA: 66 to 70 dBA, last for no more than 2 hours; 71 to 75 dBA, last no more than 1 hour; 76 to 80 dBA, last for no more than 30 minutes; 81 to 85 dBA, last for no more than 15 minutes.
• 4. (2) No person shall cause, or permit to be caused, sounds that may be heard in a residential district during daytime hours at a level in excess of 85 dBA.
• 5. No person shall cause, or permit to be caused, sounds that may be heard in a residential district during quiet hours at a level in excess of 50 dBA.
• 15. (1) A peace officer is hereby authorized to measure sound levels with an approved device.
• 15. (2) An approved device shall be operated in accordance with the manufacturers' operating guide.
• 16. Any sound level reading taken with an approved device shall be taken from outside the property from which the sound is emanating.
My curiosity is, I would like to know what tool Bylaw has in their arsenal to measure sound, if any. (Perhaps this may be the issue.) Perhaps the city could provide proper equipment to do the job in the $98,000 budget.
Allain Malo, St. Albert
