On March 23, the City Commission hired Siebein Associates, an acoustics consulting firm, to review Sarasota’s sound levels in the following areas: Downtown, Newtown, the Sarasota High School neighborhood, and St. Armands. In addition, issues involving street performers and loud vehicles will also be studied. This effort will cost between $175,000 and $250,000.

On April 6, the Commission asked the City Attorney, Joe Polzak, to direct the consultants to begin a near-term review of the draft sound ordinance, which was prepared by former City Attorney Bob Fournier. Various sound measurements—which may take several months—can proceed concurrently. The goal is to avoid delaying needed changes such as the plainly audible standard and the ban on motor vehicle revving.

Nonetheless, staff now indicates the current sound ordinance draft may not be reviewed until August. Sound measurements are scheduled from May through August, a traditionally slow period. Click here to read more.