Olympia noise ordinance
Last week I detailed Tacoma’s new comprehensive noise ordinance in a story that graced the cover of the Weekly Volcano. This week my attention turns 30 miles to the south, where musicians and live music venues are currently up in arms about a proposed amendment to the already existing Olympia noise ordinance that would make any noise registering over 60 decibels between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. illegal.
Needless to say, at least to anyone with knowledge of decibels or live music, the change could have a drastic and severely negative impact on live music in Olympia. Let us not forget Olympia is the town that birthed the Riot Grrl movement, bands like Sleater Kinney and Bikini Kill, well known and respected music labels Kill Rock Stars and K, and a place where Nirvana, the Melvins, Beat Happening, and boatloads of others perfected their chops. If there had been a 60 decibel limit back then, there’s a good chance none of this would have happened in Olympia, and the city’s place in music history would be quite different.
Olympia’s move to place a 60 decibel max on noise downtown stems from Washington’s own noise laws, which already regulate maximum noise within commercial zones. Olympia is simply looking to bring their zoning codes into conformance with state codes, according to Steve Friddle, community services manager of Olympia’s Community Planning and Development department.
The three primary objectives of the proposed noise ordinance changes are “1) consistency with state regulations related to permissible noise levels; 2) recognition that inadequately controlled noise adversely affects people’s health, safety, welfare, value of property and the environment; and 3) to further promote livability in the downtown commercial district,” says Friddle.
“In the simplest terms, this provides a predictable measurement tool for all citizens living, working, recreating in our downtown.”
However, most within Olympia’s vibrant arts and nightlife community see the proposed changes as a possible death blow to many of the music venues and artists that make Olympia a world renowned home for music and artistic expression. Many fear the proposed amendment has more to do with attracting condo developments to downtown than with the health and safety of the public.
“I am worried the city is more concerned with property values than with serving the existing downtown community. If there was a noise problem, there would be citizen complaints. That just isn’t happening. I can only conclude that the city is more interested in attracting rich people (condo buyers, property investors) than in serving Olympia’s current downtown residents and workers,” says Tobi Vail, a longtime Olympia resident, employee of Kill Rock Stars, and former drummer for Bikini Kill.
“I’m afraid that downtown venues won’t be able to have live music after 10 p.m. This would not only impact Olympia residents negatively, it would take income away from local businesses, self employed musicians, and rob us of our community. The city should recognize there’s a local economic and cultural impact to their decision.”
And if the amendment passes?
“Hopefully it won’t get to that stage, but if it does we will come up with community actions of creative resistance that will show our unity and vigilance. The Olympia music scene has a long history of being political, and we’re not going to accept this. This is our town,” says Vail.
The Olympia Planning Commission is in the process of making a recommendation to the Olympia City Council about the proposed noise amendment. This included a public meeting on April 7 where comments from citizens were accepted. The planning commission, at that meeting, decided to extend the public comment period through April 28, accepting written testimony until then. The next planning commission meeting is May 5, when the issue will likely be revisited. No date for City Council consideration of the amendment has been set. A majority vote by the City Council is required for any amendment to be adopted. — Matt Driscoll
LINK: Proposed amendment and the April 7th meeting.
LINK: Send your letters to the Olympia City Council.
Tacoma Smash I.C.E.
Local anarchists plan a week of education and protest in opposition to a private prison for immigrants on the Tacoma Tide Flats. The current manifestation of the well-organized group of protestors calls itself Tacoma Smash I.C.E. (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement), and has caught the attention of local law enforcement, who have circulated among local businesses calling the group a homeland security threat. Board up your windows and doors, conscientious college kids who care about the rights of immigrants are coming to get you. This week will include a series of educational get-togethers, culminating in a protest march from People’s Park to Wells Fargo Plaza, and on to the Tacoma Detention Center. Anyone planning on showing up is encouraged to bring drums and small instruments. Teach-ins will include “Know Your Rights” training. Bake sales and such will go on throughout the week, with proceeds going to help families of prisoners pay for gas, food and other necessities, and to help family members “maintain contact with those loved ones that we’re stolen from them.
“We want to let the people inside and their families outside know that Tacoma is with them,” say event organizers in an Internet posting. For more info, visit www.myspace.com/tacomasmashice. — John Herbert
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