"Make some noise" is a phrase often heard from the stage at a music festival, but just how much will be allowed at Metropolitan Park will be the focus of a City Council ad hoc subcommittee formed Monday by Council President Bill Bishop.
Council member Don Redman introduced a proposed ordinance Jan. 8 that would have eliminated 12 ticketed events scheduled at the park, basing it on noise complaints from residents who live across the St. Johns River in San Marco and St. Nicholas.
After discussion at the Jan. 22 Council meeting, Redman withdrew the legislation, saying he filed it to "get some attention" for the residents' complaints about noise and foul language at some Metropolitan Park events.
On Monday, Bishop assigned Council member Denise Lee to chair an ad hoc subcommittee to study the issues involving concerts and noise at the park near the sports complex and to make recommendations to the full Council concerning an equitable resolution based on constituent concerns and the City's desire to allow the park to be utilized.
Bishop said he wants the issue studied based on "organization" rather than "emotion."
In addition to Lee, Bishop named Council members Lori Boyer, Johnny Gaffney, Bill Gulliford and Redman to the committee. Bishop said he will request that Kelley Boree, City Parks & Recreation Department director, and a representative from the Downtown Investment Authority to participate as nonvoting members.
Lee said she will expand the subcommittee's scope beyond Metropolitan Park to determine if there have been noise complaints associated with other City facilities often used by residents as entertainment venues.
Bishop said his office would notify the appointed Council members Monday and the group could meet for the first time as early as next week.
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